Michigan Milk Messenger: November 2012

November 2012 Volume 95 Issue 5

Michigan Milk Messenger 1

Dairy Summit 2012 - Strength in Numbers

Attend one of the best industry events December 5 & 6, 2012 • Merrillville, Indiana

To learn more about Dairy Summit contact your local Vita Plus consultant Mark Case 616.638.4820 Ken Casebere 989.329.1510 David Flach 989.550.7541 Steve Good 989.550.4663 Kristi Keilen 517.648.3876 Matt Wood 989.550.9663 Laura Zagorski 989.912.9331

Agenda Wednesday, December 5

Thursday, December 6

Opening Session Recognizing Challenges & Embracing Global Opportunities Dennis Dugan, Triple D Dairy, Casa Grande, AZ

Producer Panel Regulatory Case Studies: Education is Key Moderated by David Crass, Michael Best & Friedrich LLP

Growing into the Future: Successful Farm Transitions Elwyn Voss, The Voss Group, Norwich, NY

Breakout Sessions Strategies to Improve Reproduction in Dairy Herds Dr. Jose Santos, University of Florida

What’s the Latest on Carbohydrates, Starch Digestibility, Shredlage™ and Snaplage for Dairy Cows Dr. Randy Shaver, University of WisconsinMadison Pathway to Profitability: Monitoring & Measuring Transition Performance Dr. Laurie Winkelman & Dr. Neil Michael, Vita Plus Growing into the Future: Building Your Team and Operating Rhythm Elwyn & Jennifer Voss, The Voss Group, Norwich, NY

OSHA Brody Mahr, Mahr City View Dairy Stanley, WI Environmental Regulation Jim Mlsna, Ocooch Dairy, Hillsboro, WI Immigration Mike Larson, Larson Acres, Evansville, WI

Closing Session Offsetting Market Anxiety by Understanding Global Dynamics Joe Kerns, Kerns & Associates, Ames, IA

Conquering the Challenges of Uncertainty in Agriculture David Okerlund, Motivational Speaker Closing Comments

Optional Activities

Tuesday, December 4 A behind-the-scenes look at Fair Oaks Farms inside the dairy complex.

Wednesday, December 5 Preconference symposium nutrition panel discussion on Diet Optimization with High Feed Prices and a spouse’s tour in downtown Chicago and shopping on Michigan Ave.

2 November 2012

November 2012

12

Contents

Volume 95 Issue 5 www.mimilk.com

Features

20

12 Changing Plans, A Nu-Dream

Jason & Katie Dellar ~ District 12 15 Q &A with Breakfast on the Farm Hosts, Goma Dairy 18 Breakfast on the Farm Organizers Looking for 2013 Host Farms

22

19 Milk-based Pregnancy Test for Dairy Herds Available

Through NorthStar DHI Services 20 Learning to Dairy from the Outside, In

Randy & Emily Berens ~ District 11 22 Students from 33 Michigan Schools Learn Fresh Ways to

Improve Nutrition and Exercise Habits 24 MSU Holiday Cheese Sale 26 Michigan Team Wins National 4-H Dairy Judging Contest 28 MMPA Members Featured at World Dairy Expo 30 Agriculturally Speaking ­­­_ Michigan’s Food

and Agricultural Products Showcased in the World Marketplace

Departments

Managing Editor...................... Sheila Burkhardt Editors........................................... Laura Moser

.................................. Alex Schnabelrauch Advertising Manager.............. Nancy Muszynski Circulation............................................... 4,200 An Equal Opportunity Employer – F/M/V/D Michigan Milk Messenger (USPS 345-320) is the official publication of Michigan Milk Producers Association, published monthly since June 1919.

Subscriptions: MMPA members, 50¢ per year; non-members, $5 per year.

41310 Bridge St. P.O. Box 8002 Novi, MI 48376-8002

Telephone: 248-474-6672 FAX: 248-474-0924 Periodical postage paid at Novi, MI and at additional offices.

MMPA Matters................................................ 5 Quality Watch.................................................. 6 News & Views.................................................. 8 Legislative Watch............................................ 10 Merchandise Memo........................................ 32 Freeliners........................................................ 34 Classifieds...................................................... 36 Policies........................................................... 37 Market Report................................................ 38 MMPA Lab Lines........................................... 39 MMPA Staff ................................................... 39

November 2012 Volume 95 Issue 5

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

(ISSN 0026-2315) Michigan Milk Messenger 1

On the Cover

More than 260 students, teachers, food service directors and advisers from 33 Michigan elementary and middle schools took part in this year’s Fuel Up to Play 60 (FUTP60) Kickoff to School Health Event. See page 22 for more on this event.

Michigan Milk Messenger 3

Michigan Milk Producers Association

Michigan Milk Producers Association, established in 1916, is a member owned and operated dairy cooperative serving approximately 2,200 dairy farmers in Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin and Ohio.

Board of Directors

Officers President: Ken Nobis Vice President: Bob Kran Treasurer: Mark Halbert General Manager/Secretary: Clay Galarneau Ass’t. Treasurer: Joe Diglio General Counsel: David VanderHaagen

Mission Statement

“To market our members’ milk to the greatest advantage possible.”

Directors-At-Large Ken Nobis, St. Johns .........................989-224-6170

or 248-474-6672, ext. 201 Rodney Daniels, Whittemore.............989-756-4935 Mark Halbert, Battle Creek................269-964-0511 District Directors 1. Hank Choate, Cement City...........517-529-9032 2. Tim Hood, Paw Paw....................269-657-5771 4. Dan Javor, Hastings......................269-948-8345 5. Brent Wilson, Carson City............989-584-3481 6. Brad Ritter, Byron........................810-266-4091 7. James Reid, Jeddo........................810-327-6830 8. Leonard Brown, Sandusky............810-648-4505 10. Eric Frahm, Frankenmuth............989-652-3552 11. Bob Kran, Free Soil......................231-464-5889 12. John Kronemeyer, Pickford..........906-647-7638

Advisory Committee District One Brad Hart, Clayton Perry Cisco, Hudson Carlton Evans, Litchfield Glenn Preston, Quincy

517-445-2649 517-547-3231 517-398-0629 517-639-4182

District Six John Hufnagel, Westphalia Anthony Jandernoa, St. Johns Aaron Gasper, Lowell David Reed, Owosso

989-640-1394 989-593-2224 616-897-2747 989-723-8635

District Two Donald Bever, Delton Francis Burr, Mendon Richard Thomas, Middlebury, IN Susan Troyer, Goshen, IN

269-671-5050 269-778-3552 574-825-5198 574-533-4506

District Four David Bivens, Bellevue Jeff Butler, Nashville Mark Crandall, Battle Creek David Lott, Mason

269-758-3980 517-852-1859 269-660-2229 517-676-4593

District Five Tom Jeppesen, Stanton Bill Jernstadt, Big Rapids Robert Lee, Marion Mike Rasmussen, Edmore

4 November 2012

989-762-5399 231-796-4650 231-743-6794 989-762-5380

District Ten John Bennett, Prescott Rod Fowler, Chesaning Scott Kleinhardt, Clare Ken Daniels, Sterling

989-345-4264 989-845-6131 989-386-8037 989-654-2546

District Eleven District Seven Bill Blumerich, Berlin Pat Bolday, Emmett Scott Lamb, Jeddo Chuck White, Fowlerville

810-395-2926 810-395-7139 810-327-6135 517-521-3564

District Eight Mike Bender, Croswell 810-679-4782 Tim Kubacki, Sebewaing 989-883-3249 Dale Phillips, Marlette 989-635-7917 Steve Schulte, Harbor Beach 989-479-9339

Jim Good, Caledonia Frank Konkel, Hesperia David Pyle, Zeeland Bill Stakenas, Free Soil

616-891-1414 231-854-8041 616-772-1512 231-757-9340

District Twelve Robert Barron, Gladstone Ron Lucas, Posen Corby Werth, Alpena Jeremy Werth, Alpena

906-786-7027 989-379-4694 989-379-3772 989-464-4022

MMPA Matters

By Ken Nobis President

It’s November, and Still No Farm Bill

W

hen I wrote last month’s column, almost two work weeks remained in September for the U.S. House of Representatives to take up the 2012 Farm Bill. As you will recall, the Senate version passed the full Senate in June with strong bipartisan support. The House version was then passed out of the House Agriculture Committee with strong bipartisan support, so our hope that the House leadership would permit the bill to be introduced on the floor of the House and voted on did not seem unreasonable or unrealistic. For whatever reason (seeming political gamesmanship) it didn’t happen.

Had the House taken the vote, and assuming it would have been a favorable vote as indicators were forecasting, the slight differences in the Senate and House versions would have gone to conference committee.

The differences could have then been worked on and possibly worked out while Congress was in recess for six weeks.

Instead we are left in limbo, wondering when Congress will complete its work on the Farm Bill, especially because the current Farm Bill expired on the last day of September. Some provisions of the Farm Bill will stay in place until December 31, such as the Dairy Price Support Program, while others, notably the Milk Income Loss Contract (MILC) Program, became history on September 30.

If Congress fails to act on the 2012 Farm Bill before December 31, we will revert to the permanent provisions of the Agriculture Act of 1949. That law mandates that the milk price be set at 75% of the

parity price. A recent calculation of the parity price showed that figure to be approximately $51 per hundredweight, and 75 percent of that is $38 per hundredweight. On the surface that may seem like a windfall that we deserve; however, it would result in a dramatic drop in domestic demand and a disappearance of export sales.

I think that swift passage of the 2012 Farm Bill will not only avert this result, but will also, in the long run, bring about a more stable dairy economy than we have witnessed in recent years. More stability and less volatility benefit both producers and consumers. Less price volatility on the consumer end could break the pattern of consumers trying alternatives when milk prices are high and then not returning to the dairy aisle when low prices return.

When it was charged with developing a more relevant safety net for dairy producers, National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) crafted the Foundation for the Future program. This workable program, has in my opinion, produced creditable progress toward that end.

The Foundation for the Future was incorporated into both the Senate and House versions of the Farm Bill, and even though both Agriculture Committees made changes that improved NMPF’s original proposal, Foundation for the Future provided the groundwork for what has been accomplished. The result is that the dairy provisions incorporated in both the Senate and House versions of the 2012 Farm Bill are a dramatic improvement from the past and they came about with significant input from dairy producers.

Time is running out for Congress to complete the 2012 Farm Bill.

Nothing will happen until Congress reconvenes following the election on November 6 for a session that is scheduled to begin on November 13 and end on December 31. Putting into place an ineffectual “stop gap” measure to stem the hole in the dike is not a good alternative. It is imperative that they pass the Farm Bill before they get involved with the fiscal cliff issue that will (and should) occupy a great deal of their time between now and the end of the year.

I urge all MMPA members to contact their House members early and often and pressure them to take up the Farm Bill as the first order of business when they return to Washington, D.C. It wouldn’t hurt to remind them that the Farm Bill proposal saves taxpayers money while at the same time providing a much improved safety net for the nation’s dairy farmers. At an early date, the Senate and House Agriculture Committees had already completed their work in meeting the budget cuts that would be required if sequestration is initiated after the end of this year under the Budget Control Act of 2011. They have taken their responsibilities seriously, and they deserve results.

Let’s support their actions by contacting our House members and urging favorable action on the 2012 Farm Bill immediately upon their return to D.C. after the election.

Michigan Milk Messenger 5

Quality Watch

By

By Dean Dean Letter Letter

MMPA Manager of Producer Testing Director of Member Services and Herd Health Programs

Aflatoxin, a Possible Concern for Michigan agriculture

B

y the time you read this, much of the fall harvest will be completed nationwide, marking the end of a very trying season.

The drought this past summer certainly has reduced the availability of quality feed ingredients. Many states to the south and west of Michigan, where the drought stress has been more severe, have seen a significant amount of aspergillus ear rot. As of early October, there have been no reports indicating significant outbreaks of aspergillus in Michigan. However, conditions are favorable for aspergillus ear rot in some parts of the state.

in their milk, making it necessary for dairy producers to be extremely vigilant.

Aspergillus flavus, the fungus responsible for aspergillus ear rot, may continue to grow once the crop is in storage especially under moisture conditions greater than 14-15 percent moisture. Grain with an aflatoxin concentration of 20 ppb or greater is not to be shipped over state lines. Ethanol producers may have very strict specifications for corn entering their facility if a co-product of their operation goes into dairy or pet feed. The ethanol production process can result in 300 percent increase in the aflatoxin concentration of ethanol co-products such as dried distillers grains (DDGs) compared to the corn grain from which the ethanol is produced.

Moreover, the maximum safe limit in milk is less than 0.5ppb.

Some states are requiring dairy plants to test all milk for aflatoxin prior to unloading. At this time Michigan is not mandating this testing although several plants within the state are conducting the test on a voluntary basis or to meet customer requests.

The testing process is similar to that of Appendix N antibiotic testing that the dairy industry does on a daily basis. If a milk sample representing a truck load of milk or a dairy producer’s bulk tank is found to have an aflatoxin

As many of our members may concentration greater than or equal be aware, aspergillus ear rot is a to 0.5ppb or 500ppt (parts per powdery olive-green fungus that is trillion), the results are reported typically seen at the tips of drought to the Michigan Department of stressed and/or insect infested corn.

Agriculture and Rural Development In more severe cases, the fungus (MDARD). If a tanker load of milk will travel down to the base of the is involved, MDARD will seize

The table below indicates ear. This fungus is responsible for the load. The milk samples will be the action levels for aflatoxin producing aflatoxin. forwarded to a MDARD-approved contaminated corn: lab for confirmation using high

Aflatoxin is a pressure liquid chromatography Concentration

mycotoxin that can cause a (HPLC). The responsible dairy (parts per billion)

variety of health issues in producer will be notified of Animal feed and feed ingredients livestock. Younger animals 20ppb the situation and will not be intended for dairy animals are more sensitive than allowed to ship milk until an

older animals. Depending Human consumption 20ppb HPLC test of that producer’s on exposure, the toxin

milk sample(s) (the sample(s) may suppress the animal’s Feed intended for breeding cattle, 100ppb must represent all lactating cows immune system, reduce breeding swine, and mature poultry on the farm) indicate that the the rate of gain, cause Feed intended for finishing swine of 100 aflatoxin concentration is below 200ppb cancer (aflatoxin is a potent pounds or greater the actionable level. carcinogen) and possibly

End Use Of Grain

cause death. Lactating animals will shed this toxin

300ppb

Feed intended for finishing beef cattle

Once the dairy producer is notified, the contaminated feed

Continued on page 9

6 November 2012

Michigan Milk Messenger 7

News & Views The latest dairy news

September Class III Up MMPA Receives Awards at World Dairy Expo $1.27, Slaughter Rates Dairy Product Contest Continue to Rise MMPA Constantine Plant The September Class III price is $19.00 per cwt., up $1.27 from August, but $.07 below September .

2011.

The September Class IV price is $17.41, up $1.65 from August, but $2.12 below a year ago.

Due to a continuing period of poor margins, dairy cow slaughter continues to rise and trends reveal a heavy cull rate in western states with other areas boasting more moderate slaughter levels. As of Oct. 15, year-to-date dairy cow slaughter was 5.9 percent higher than the same period in 2011. High beef prices coupled with increasing dairy input costs have catalyzed dairy herd reduction, or in some cases liquidation.

Manager Dave Davis traveled to the World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wis. to accept the cooperative’s awards in the World Dairy Expo Championship Dairy Product Contest. The MMPA Constantine and Ovid Plants were awarded three first place, two second place and one third place awards.

MMPA Constantine Plant Manager Dave

“We are extremely proud of the high-quality Davis (right) accepts one of six awards dairy products we produce captured by MMPA at the World Dairy Expo contest. at our two plants,” says MMPA General Manager Clay Galarneau. “Our team of plant employees work diligently every day to produce some of the finest butter, dried products and creams in the country. Receiving recognition at a contest of this caliber is something our members and employees can take great pride in.”

The Constantine Plant received 1st place in the unsalted butter (backto-back winner), 1st place in the unsalted butter with natural flavor and 3rd place in the unsalted butter with natural flavors categories. The Ovid Plant earned a 1st place in the whipping cream, 2nd place in the unsalted butter and 2nd place in the nonfat dried milk categories.

Producers scoring 95 percent or more on Grade A Surveys and Federal Check Rating MMPA Simon October 2012 Stoney Creek Dairy LLC Fedewa Dairy LLC Steenblik Dairy Inc. Terri / Rick Hawbaker * Berlyn Acres II LLC

*100 percent

8 November 2012

Upcoming Events November 19

Leaders’ Conference – E. Lansing

December 19

MMPA Advisory Committee meeting – Novi

NMPF Takes First Steps in Revitalizing the REAL® Seal with New Website As part of its efforts to revitalize one of the most recognized product symbols in the food industry, the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) announced that the REAL® Seal is undergoing a makeover.

The first step in that process was taken with the launch of a revamped website: www.realseal. com. The previous website existed primarily as a resource for dairy product manufacturers and marketers interested in putting the REAL® Seal on their packaging. The new website will contain more content to educate consumers about why they should look for the REAL® Seal on the foods they buy, while also continuing to provide information for those companies using the REAL® Seal to enhance their product marketing.

Quality Watch

Continued from page 6 ingredient must be identified and no longer offered to animals. Over time, the affected animals will excrete the toxin. Milk sample(s) will be collected for testing until acceptable test results are obtained. Well over a week could elapse before the dairy farm is reinstated to the market.

During this time, there will be no income from milk sales and the dairy producer will be held responsible for loss incurred from the contaminated load of milk.

There are many certified testing facilities for aflatoxin. If your insured crop is still in the field and you suspect aflatoxin, you need to contact your crop insurance agent prior to harvest. Your agent will take and submit samples for aflatoxin testing. If aflatoxin is suspected in your feed ingredients, you should contact your nutritionist and veterinarian. If you suspect that your milk may be contaminated, please contact me at the Novi office.

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9/28/12 3:16 PM

Michigan Milk Messenger 9

Legislative Watch Issues important to today’s dairy farmers

MMPA Endorses Candidates for General Election

T

he Michigan Milk Producers Association Political Action Committee (MMPAC) has announced the following endorsements for the November 6, 2012 General Election. The bipartisan, statewide organization selected candidates based on input from members, questionnaires filled out by the candidates and the candidate’s general knowledge and support of dairy and agriculture industry issues.

“Michigan’s dairy industry, and agriculture in general, is a bright spot in our state’s economy,” says Ken Nobis, a dairy farmer from St. Johns, Mich. and MMPAC Chairman. “We need people in state government who recognize our contributions and work with us to continue to grow our industry.”

MMPAC is the political action arm of Michigan Milk Producers Association, the largest Michigan-based dairy cooperative in the state. Individual MMPA members fund the political action committee and make recommendations from their local areas to the MMPAC board of directors.

U.S. Senate

Debbie Stabenow (D-East Lansing)

Michigan State University Board of Trustees Joel Fergusen (D) Melanie Foster (R)

Supreme Court Stephen Markman Colleen O’Brien Brian Zahra

Michigan Ballot Proposals

Proposal 12-1 12-2 12-3 12-4 12-5 12-6 10 November November 2012 2012 10

MMPAC Position Yes No No No No No

U.S. House of Representatives District 1 Dan Benishek (R-Crystal Falls) 2 Bill Huizenga (R-Zeeland) 4 Dave Camp (R-Midland) 6 Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph) 8 Mike Rogers (R-Brighton)

9 Sander Levin (D-Roseville) 10 Candice Miller (R-Shelby Township) 11 Syed Taj (D-Canton) 12 John Dingell (D-Dearborn) 13 John Conyers, Jr. (D-Detroit) 14 Gary Peters (D-Detroit)

State House of Representatives District 2 Alberta Tinsley Talabi (D-Detroit) 9 Harvey Santana (D-Detroit) 13 Andrew Kandrevas (D-Southgate) 19 John Walsh (R-Livonia) 20 Kurt Heise (R- Plymouth) 21 Dian Slavens (D-Canton) 22 Harold Haugh (D-Roseville) 24 Anthony Forlini (R-Harrison Twp) 25 Sean Clark (R-Warren) 26 Jim Townsend (D-Royal Oak) 28 Jon Switalski (D-Warren) 30 Jeff Farrington (R- Utica) 32 Andrea LaFontaine (R-Richmond) 33 Ken Goike (R- Macomb Twp) 35 Rudy Hobbs (D-Lathrop Village) 36 Pete Lund (R- Shelby Twp) 37 Vicki Barnett (D-Farmington Hills) 38 Hugh Crawford (R- Novi) 42 Bill Rogers (R-Brighton) 46 Bradford Jacobsen (R-Oxford) 47 Cindy Denby (R- Fowlerville) 48 Pam Faris (D-Clio) 49 Jim Ananich (D- Flint) 50 Charles Smiley (D- Burton) 51 Joseph Graves (R-Linden) 52 Mark Ouimet (R- Ann Arbor) 54 David Rutledge (D-Washtenaw) 56 Dale Zorn (R-Ida) 57 Nancy Jenkins (R-Clayton) 58 Kenneth Kurtz (R- Coldwater) 59 Matt Lori (R- Constantine) 61 Margaret O’Brien (R- Portage) 62 Kate Segal (D- Battle Creek) 64 Earl Poleski (R-Jackson) 65 Mike Shirkey (R- Clark Lake) 66 Aric Nesbitt (R-Lawton) 67 Jeff Oesterle (R-Mason) 68 Andy Schor (D-Lansing) 69 Sam Singh (D-East Lansing)

70 Rick Outman (R-Six Lakes) 71 Deb Shaughnessy (R- Charlotte) 72 Ken Yonker (R- Caledonia) 73 Peter MacGregor (R-Rockford) 74 Rob VerHeulen (R-Walker) 75 Brandon Dillon (D-Grand Rapids) 77 Tom Hooker (R- Byron Center) 78 Dave Pagel (R-Berrien Springs) 79 Al Pscholka (R- Stevensville) 80 Bob Genetski (R-Saugatuck) 81 Dan Lauwers (R-Brockway) 82 Kevin Daley (R- Lum) 83 Paul Muxlow (R-Brown City) 84 Terry Brown (D- Pigeon) 85 Ben Glardon (R- Owosso) 86 Lisa Posthumus Lyons (R-Alto) 87 Mike Callton (R-Nashville) 88 Roger Victory (R-Hudsonville) 89 Amanda Price (R- Holland) 90 Joe Haveman (R-Zeeland) 91 Holly Hughes (R-Montague) 92 Marcia Hovey-Wright (D-Muskegon) 93 Tom Leonard (R-Lansing) 94 Tim Kelly (R-Saginaw) 95 Stacy Erwin Oakes (D-Saginaw) 96 Charles Brunner (D-Bay City) 97 Joel Johnson (R-Clare) 98 Jim Stamas (R-Midland) 99 Kevin Cotter (R-Mt. Pleasant) 100 Jon Bumstead (R-Newaygo) 101 Ray Franz (R-Onekama) 102 Philip Potvin (R-Cadillac) 103 Bruce Rendon (R-Lake City) 104 Wayne Schmidt (R-Traverse City) 105 Greg MacMaster (R-Kewadin) 106 Peter Pettalia (R-Presque Isle) 107 Frank Foster (R-Pellston) 108 Ed McBroom (R-Vulcan) 110 Matt Huuki (R-Mine) Michigan Milk Milk Messenger Messenger 11 11 Michigan

Changing Plans, A Nu-Dream Jason & Katie Dellar ~ District 12

By Alex Schnabelrauch

I

n 2004, Jason and Katie Dellar of Harrisville thought they knew what they wanted: continue doing the same chores, following the same routine and managing the same sector of Jason’s father, Duane’s, 150-cow dairy. But just a year later, plans shifted and dreams changed taking the Dellars on a new, exciting adventure of education, growth and persistence.

“We liked what we were doing, but we wanted to branch out and start a farm of our own. Thirty acres, four barns and buildings, 55 cows and seven years later, we’ve built our very own business – Nu-Dream Dairy,” Jason declares.

Dairy in his Genes

While Nu-Dream Dairy was a

12 November 2012

“from-the-bottom-up” project, Jason was anything but new to dairying.

“I worked for my parents in high school as the 4th generation dairying.

I milked our 90 cows, 15 of which I owned. My parents sold the herd, so after graduation I worked as a herdsman for Chippewa Point Dairy.

But I missed having my own farm,” Jason explains.

A year later, he headed back to the family farm and rented his father’s facilities. From 2001 to 2004 Jason and, after getting married in 2003, Katie rebuilt the herd. They bought feed from Jason’s father and served as herdsmen and milkers. Six months after coming home, Jason’s brother Ryan joined the operation heading up feeding and raising the heifers.

Even as plans began to change and Nu-Dream started to become a reality, there was no question where Jason’s passion and heart lie. “It [dairy] is all he’s ever known,” Katie confirms. “One way or another he always knew his life would involve cows.” However, one member of the Nu-Dream partnership wasn’t always so keen on dairying.

Love at First Cold Cut Trio Growing up, Katie Dellar didn’t know a thing about cows growing up.

Coming from a long line of plumbers, staying in Alcona County was the last thing on her mind. “I knew I wanted to be a lawyer and get the heck out of here,” Katie smiles. “That was until I came home from Saginaw Valley State University to work at an

up-scale restaurant and Subway parttime for the summer.”

Ironically, Jason’s appetite for subs suddenly skyrocketed and his trips to the chain seemed to coincide with Katie’s work schedule. The rest is history. She finished her degree at Alpena Community College and worked for a prosecuting attorney for a short time… Then Katie started milking and she was hooked.

“Once you fall in love with dairy, you can’t stop. I love my cows! I like to be around them and see them grow. Jason has introduced me to the second love of my life… dairy.

I never in a million years thought cows would be my life’s passion. But I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Katie grins.

Rebuilding from Scratch Selling most of their cows in 2005 and starting to build a new registered herd with a better pedigree, the two passionate partners purchased their 30 acre, Nu-Dream Dairy in 2006.

“The land was completely empty when we bought it,” Jason describes.

“We built practically everything ourselves from May 2006 to February 2007– a free stall barn, milking parlor (with the family’s second story ‘farm condo’) and hay barn. We also constructed a heifer/commodity barn in 2009.”

Nu-Dream Dairy has grown from 25 to 55 cows, mostly Holsteins with a few splashes of color. “I told Jason that if my name was going to be on the loan, I wanted Jerseys. But I had to beg for those brown ones,” Katie beams.

With infrastructure to support 85 cows, the Dellars plan to expand through internal replacements once the effects of the drought subside.

They milk twice a day in their doublesix parallel parlor and do their own breeding using sexed semen. The Dellars have one part-time employee

Pictured above: Top: Jason and Katie Dellar started their farm, Nu-Dream Holsteins in 2006. Bottom left: The Dellar family (l-r) front: Matthew, Kiersten, Will and Victoria, back: Katie and Jason. Bottom right: Katie and Jason enjoy working together everyday to keep the farm running. and Katie’s father, John Jagelewski, also helps as needed mixing feed, driving tractors and doing field work.

In addition to milking, Jason and Katie farm 250 acres of corn and alfalfa and are self sufficient in feed.

“Before we started on our own, Jason had never grown crops. So we had to ask lots of questions, take criticism and be open-minded to continuous growth and learning,” Katie relays.

Committed to quality, Jason and Katie have attended MMPA’s Milker

Training School five and four times respectively. “I learn something new every time. It’s a great program and makes you want to be better at what you do,” Jason says. Their hard work was recognized as the 7th lowest 2011 SCC for NorthStar DHI in the Michigan, Indiana and Ohio region.

Nu-Dream Dairy is also National Dairy FARM certified and nearing MAEAP verification.

Continued on page 14

Michigan Milk Messenger 13

Continued from page 13 Spreading the Word Beyond certifications and the borders of their property, the Dellars believe responsible dairying includes consumer education. “I attended a UDIM ‘Telling Your Story’ webinar in 2010 and it totally changed my life,” Katie stresses. “I always knew I wanted to tell my story, but I never really knew how. They gave me the tools to be a poised, professional communicator.”

With daily dairy status updates and over 500 fans, Katie’s “Dairy Mom” Facebook page has since touched hundreds of consumers with realistic, positive dairy messages and images. Furthermore, Katie is a MMPA Dairy Communicator, hosts an annual Head Start farm tour, volunteered as a referee for the Fuel Up to Play 60 (FUTP60) Kick-off, presented at numerous local and statewide meetings and conferences and has applied to start a county 4-H dairy club. Jason coaches and sponsors a little league t-ball team and serves on his local DHI board.

MILK TEST

PREGNANCY

Delivering more through DHI.

Even with a young family, the Dellars children – Kiersten, 6, Matthew, 5, Victoria, 3 and Will, 2 – still play an active role on the farm.

“Our kids love living on a dairy. We don’t ever force them to be in the barn, but we can’t get rid of them!

They want to help with chores, scrape the barns with their little snow shovels and feed the calves.

Even Will wants to help pre-dip,” Katie proudly shares.

PREGNANCY CONFIRMATION MADE EASY

Jason elaborates, “This farm is what we’re going to give our kids.

It’s our legacy – a work in progress.”

The new Milk Pregnancy Test provides convenient pregnancy confirmation using DHI samples from 35-days post calving thru dry-off. This noninvasive test provides results comparable to traditional methods, without the additional time and labor to sort, restrain and sample animals. Learn more at northstarcooperative.com.

1.800.631.3510 northstarcooperative.com

14 November 2012

With the 2013 Breakfast on the Farm (BOTF) host application deadline just around the corner, Geert and Gertie van den Goor open up about their experience hosting BOTF, and help prospective applicants get a better idea for what to expect.

What is the timeline and process for hosting a Breakfast on the Farm?

Gertie: Everything started eight months before our breakfast. We filled out the BOTF application in November and submitted it to our local Michigan State University Extension (MSUE) agent. In December, a state committee of agricultural organizations and statewide sponsors met to review the applications and select the hosts for 2012.

Geert: In February, we started having once-a-month planning meetings with our local committee and our BOTF MSUE representative (Nancy Thelen). Nancy made everything seem easy and kept us on track to meet our deadlines.

Gertie: The meetings were typically two hours and we’d go through a list of things to do, divide things up and give updates on our progress. In the weeks leading up to the event, we met more often to make sure all the details came together before the day-of.

Tell us more about a local planning committee.

Gertie: Even though you are the technical “hosts,” one of the first steps of the BOTF process is pulling together a 10-person planning committee. We created a workgroup from the attendees of our local dairy banquet which worked out really well. But since it was our farm, we always had the final say to protect ourselves and our cows.

Geert: BOTF is a lot of work for the host, but you’ll be surprised how the community will pull through for you – both farmers and neighbors. We were just the host farm. Seven school districts, 150 volunteers and our whole county helped make the breakfast happen. It made a lot of work a lot of joy.

Are hosts responsible for all the work, planning and promotion?

Geert: You don’t have to reinvent the wheel. MSUE has helped put on 20 of these events already and they have every step mapped out and materials prepared. They print off the tickets, signs and flyers customized to your breakfast and provide a trailer filled with promotional materials, booths and items to help with your BOTF. Nancy and MSUE know what they’re doing and are right-on with the planning steps and what it takes to push 2,000 people through a farm. But you can still make the event your own and MSUE gives you flexibility in the structure.

Gertie: Right from the start, we got a list – by March we had to have “this” done and by April we had to have “that” done. As the host, you’re the coordinator

Michigan Milk Messenger 15 Michigan Milk Messenger 15

making sure your committee members divide tasks equally and don’t get in over their heads. Your biggest job is to stay positive, protect your volunteer’s time and keep your committee members motivated to get all the little things done on time. At the end of the day, you can’t do this alone and don’t have to.

and the signs were gone. The only things left were the porta-potties.

Where does all this money come from? Do you as the host have to pay for BOTF?

might think, “What did I sign myself up for?!” But you’re doing this for the whole industry not just your business.

It makes a big impact even in a farming community. It brought our neighbors and our community together and has strengthened our farm’s local and state relationships ever since.

Gertie: There are statewide sponsors like MMPA who give a lump sum of money that’s spread evenly to each host farm. Locally, you and your planning committee raise additional funds to cover the budget – usually you get a lot of stuff donated. The only things we paid for were farm-related necessities to get our place looking its best.

What was the best part of hosting BOTF? Geert: The community and industry support. Our BOTF took over the local newspaper and people are still talking about it. We saw only a positive reaction from the whole neighborhood during and after BOTF. We even received a couple of milker applications that noted they visited the farm during BOTF and wanted to work here.

Gertie: It was a wonderful thing to have our neighbors show open support for a large farm business. It confirmed we’re part of this community. I mean, we had 150 volunteers who came earlier and stayed later than their shifts because they really liked what they were doing.

Everyone enjoyed themselves because we were honest and transparent, telling people what we do and why we do it.

We were able to shed a better light on agriculture and gave 2,500 people a realistic view of the dairy industry.

How long did it take to get back to work after the event?

Geert: We went back to our normal routine by 1:30 p.m.

– half-an-hour after BOTF ended. By 4 p.m., you couldn’t tell that it had even happened! The trash was picked up,

16 November 2012 16 November 2012

What would you tell MMPA members interested in hosting a BOTF? Gertie: Just go for it! You won’t regret it. Some days you

Goma Dairy at a Glance

Geert and Gertie van den Goor started Goma Farms in Marlette in 1999 with 350 cows. Today, they milk 3,000 and are fueled exclusively by internal replacements. To run the extensive, fast-paced business, the van den Goors employ 32 full-time workers.

Milking primarily in the family’s double-36 parallel parlor, all the cows must be milked in seven-and-a-half hours to accommodate system cleaning before the three-times-a-day milking process begins again. Put simply, the three-person milking team must move quickly and efficiently to ensure four loads of milk leave the farm on time each day. The heifers and treated cows are milked in a separate, smaller parlor that connects to a tank used to feed calves.

The van den Goors rent their 700 acres to a local farmer who sells the grain and forage back to the dairy. Goma Dairy Farm is National Dairy FARM certified; and MAEAP.

Thank You to Our MMPA Members that Hosted a Breakfast on the Farm Choates’ Belly Acres -Jackson County

Goma Dairy - Sanilac County

Gingrich Meadows - Osceola County

VanDrese Farms - Delta County

Judge Dairy Farm -Isabella County

Continued on page 18 Michigan Milk Messenger 17 Michigan Milk Messenger 17

Breakfast on the Farm Organizers Looking for 2013 Host Farms

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fter the inaugural Michigan Breakfast on the Farm event was held in 2009 at Dutch Meadows Dairy in St. Johns, interest in replicating this event led to four events in 2010 and eight in 2011 and 2012. More than 18,200 people attended the eight events in 2012, and more than 40,800 people have attended Michigan State University (MSU) Extension Breakfast on the Farm programs since they began.

Breakfast on the Farm (BOTF) gives consumers and farm neighbors a firsthand look at modern food production and the farm families who work hard to produce a safe, wholesome food supply for Michigan communities and the world. BOTF is an MSU Extension program that is guided by a statewide advisory council. Events are made possible through local partners, generous statewide and local sponsors, and many local volunteers.

Breakfast on the Farm showcases a selection of Michigan’s outstanding

farms and introduces the nonfarm public to the life and business of modern agriculture through a fun and educational event that emphasizes the importance of environmental stewardship, food safety and good animal care practices. Surveys from past events show that approximately 46 percent of attendees had not visited a modern farm in 20 years or more. This educational program has helped to provide information and experiences for thousands of participants, who have changed their attitudes about modern food production as a result of attending a BOTF.

Host farms are selected by the state council through an application process. In an effort to reach consumers throughout Michigan, the council strives to have events in diverse geographic areas. Information on past events is available at the BOTF website www.breakfastonthefarm.com. The application and a checklist to guide

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18 November 2012

interested host farms are located on the “Contact Us!” page.

If you would like MSU Extension to consider your farm for a 2013 Breakfast on the Farm event, please complete the application and submit it to your local MSU Extension educator for approval and submission to the Extension agricultural literacy educators, Nancy Thelen and Mary Dunckel,

by Nov. 30, 2012. The statewide BOTF advisory council will review all applications and notify applicants in December of farms selected for a 2013 event. A limited number of farms will be selected. Extension staff members will offer guidance from the early planning stages to the day of the event.

If you have specific questions or would like additional information, contact Mary Dunckel at 989-3549870 or dunckelm@anr.msu.edu, or Nancy Thelen at 734-222-3825 or thelenn@anr.msu.edu

Milk-based Pregnancy Test for Dairy Herds Available through NorthStar DHI Services

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orthStar Cooperative announced in October that it is among the first DHI service providers to begin offering a milk pregnancy test that can be run on DHI samples. The ELISA test uses pregnancy associated glycoproteins (PAGs) to determine pregnancy status, providing results comparable to traditional methods, while minimizing animal handling.

With a high level of sensitivity and specificity from ≥35 days postbreeding, producers can utilize their routine DHI samples for accurate detection of open cows. IDEXX and Antel BioSystems (AntelBio), a subsidiary of NorthStar Cooperative, collaborated on the development and validation of IDEXX Milk Pregnancy Test, the first milk-based test for improving efficiency of reproductive programs in dairy herds.

“NorthStar’s investment to develop supplemental tests for DHI samples has enabled AntelBio to find a wealth of information hidden in milk samples,” said Gary Smith, General Manager, NorthStar Cooperative. “AntelBio’s work in developing milk assays for a variety of animal health issues, including Johne’s, Leukosis, BVD and more, has provided producers new tools to effectively manage their herd. From the beginning, our members and customers have been asking for a milk pregnancy test.”

The Milk Pregnancy Test is best suited for pregnancy confirmation and will be most effective in herds with accurate breeding and AI records with regular DHI test intervals. Test implementation on farm can occur in various ways. Herd managers can identify cows to test on an individual basis, or by working with their DHI specialist, a routine sampling program can be established which will identify all cows within a certain window post-breeding to be tested on DHI test day – making

pregnancy confirmation nearly automatic. If testing is required between routine test days, producers can submit special samples to the DHI lab.

“Being able to gather pregnancy information noninvasively, without additional labor or stress on the cow, is a real benefit for producers and animals,” said Kevin Haase, NorthStar DHI Field Services Manager. “The milk pregnancy test continues to enhance the value of DHI testing and gives producers a new tool in reproductive management.”

NorthStar Cooperative, Inc. is a stock based cooperative, owned by dairy and beef producers in Michigan, Indiana and Wisconsin.

Originally formed in 1944 as an artificial insemination cooperative, NorthStar Cooperative, Inc. is now comprised of sales and service for Select Sires, Ag Products and Technologies, DHI Services and Antel BioSystems. Based in Lansing, Michigan, NorthStar provides sales and service to producers, veterinarians and industry members across the United States.

For more information visit www. northstarcooperative.com.

Chemical based pregnancy testing has been available to producers for several years, and the milk test is the next step in gathering important herd information without invasive techniques and additional labor or animal “A full service insurance agency” handling. The milk pregnancy We specialize in Farms and offer a full range of coverages to test easily serve all of your insurance needs. integrates into • Competitive – Farmowners. routine DHI • Co-op Members in good standing receive additional testing and will premium discounts on Farmowners policy. be available through • Group Medical – Regardless of health conditions for 2 plus groups.

NorthStar Cooperative • Low Cost Term Life “Debt Protection.” to producers in Michigan, Indiana and mfu@comcast.net Wisconsin beginning November 1, 2012.

Availability through other DHI labs will continue throughout the year.

616.656.7260

Michigan Milk Messenger 19

Learning to Dairy from the Outside, In Randy & Emily Berens ~ District 11

By Alex Schnabelrauch

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nlike many Michigan dairymen, Randy Berens’ story didn’t begin with, “Once upon a time, on his family’s centennial farm…” True, he can recollect unloading hay at his grandfather’s dairy, and his parents owned a small hobby farm, but Randy’s path to District 11 OYDC and Wayland, Mich. was based more on youth involvement than genealogy.

ribbons, it is evident Randy didn’t just participate in dairy contests, he excelled. He traveled to Harrisburg, Pa, and Louisville, Ky. with his statewinning dairy management and dairy quiz bowl teams respectively, placing 4th in the management contest. As a 4-H’er Randy also competed in the dairy quiz bowl contest at the North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE).

“Way back when I used to help my grandpa, I thought I liked dairying, but I wasn’t sure. I didn’t really have much experience with the industry other than showing a few cows at the county fair. Then I got roped into Dairy Days through 4-H and that’s when things started to click,” Randy explains.

“Even though I didn’t grow up on a dairy, I liked the contests and I wasn’t as shy after taking part in them. I was a better public speaker and more willing to present in front of other people – skills that still help me as a dairyman today,” Randy affirms.

Sifting through dusty plaques and

20 November 2012

Even with all his dairy-related accomplishments, Randy was still

thinking about pursuing a career in small engine repair enrolling in his local tech center’s engine program. That was until his brother called asking for some help on his recently acquired dairy farm.

Randy agreed and started working as an evening milker in April 2002 as an 11th grader.

After graduating from Hamilton High School in 2003, Randy decided to work full time for his brother and headed to Michigan State to enroll in the dairy tech program. There he continued his hands-on dairy education as a member of the 4th place NAILE Ag Tech dairy judging team and high place team in the practical contest at World Dairy Expo.

Randy relays, “College and my judging experiences helped me network with industry leaders and gain the skills I needed to go back and help the farm be successful. Without a typical family dairy farm to draw from, I had to trust and learn from others to make sure I’d be ready to offer value to my brother’s farm.”

Joining Heritage Farms Darwin Huff purchased Heritage Farms in 1964 and welcomed his son-in-law Steve Berens, Randy’s brother, into the LLC in 1997.

When they needed a reliable full-time employee, hard working Randy came to mind; he’s been working as their herdsman ever since.

Heritage Farms is National Dairy FARM certified and milks 155 cows while managing 500 acres of hay, soybeans and corn.

Technology plays a substantial role in their operation as they utilize grid soil sampling, DHI, GPS for fertilizer spreading and electronic record keeping.

Milking twice a day at 5:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., the farm employs three full-time workers – Randy, Darwin and Steve – as well as three part-time high schoolers to assist with milking.

Heritage Farms is fueled exclusively by internal replacements.

Most of the farm’s breeding is AI, however the Huffs and Berens use one natural service bull to breed heifers in addition to a clean-up bull for the cows. Randy optimizes G6G-OvSync to assist in the farm’s reproduction.

“I do everything except write checks,” Randy says. “I do most of the milking and breeding while keeping cattle records, working in the fields, hauling manure, cutting hay and feeding calves. While my name isn’t on the milk check, I’m still an active part of the business.”

Paying It Forward The farm’s part-time labor source is constantly in a state of turnover as high school students graduate and move away from home. Relying mostly on family, friends and word of mouth to advertise milker vacancies, many of the farm’s new employees have little-to-no dairy background.

“We typically are teaching our milkers from scratch,” Randy reveals.

“I teach them how to maximize milk quality and cow comfort and eventually, once they prove themselves, I give them a few odd jobs here and there to help on other areas of the farm.”

With the original idea of one day purchasing his own farm,

Randy admits the start-up cost is overwhelming. He adds, “I’m happy where I’m at and I enjoy helping our part-time workers learn more about dairy and get a hands-on work experience similar to the ones that changed my career path back in 4-H. It’s rewarding to show kids how much I like the things I get to do everyday.”

E-farmony Even though they showed at the same county fair, Emily wasn’t on Randy’s radar until dairy match making brought the two together. “I went to the same church and bought sheep from Randy’s farm’s neighbor.

He was the one who set us up,” Emily grins. “We met in 2006 and

Continued on page 27 Michigan Milk Messenger 21

Students from 33 Michigan Schools Learn Fresh Ways to Improve Nutrition and Exercise Habits U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow and USDA Director Audrey Rowe highlight benefits of improved nutrition and exercise at Ford Field event

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ore than 260 students, teachers, food service directors and advisers from 33 Michigan elementary and middle schools took part in this year’s Fuel Up to Play 60 (FUTP60) Kickoff to School Health event Sept. 25 at Ford Field in Detroit. They returned to their school systems armed with ideas for boosting physical activity during the day and tasty dairy recipes to add to their school lunch menus that build upon the USDA new school meals standards that took effect this fall.

The new nutrition standards – the first significant changes to school meals in more than 15 years and a key component of the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 – ensure that students are offered fruits and vegetables daily, increase the offerings of whole grainrich foods and low-fat or fat-free milk, limit calories based on student age to ensure proper portion sizes and reduce the amounts of saturated and trans fats and sodium. The FUTP60 program supports the new meal standards by encouraging youth to eat good-for-you foods like low-fat and fat-free dairy

foods, fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein and being active for at least 60 minutes each day.

USDA Food and Nutrition Service Administrator Audrey Rowe and U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow took part in the day’s activities, which included joining students for a flash workout exercise session.

“Improving the nutrition of school meals is an important investment in the future of America’s children, and by giving students a voice in shaping their future, National Dairy Council, the NFL and USDA are providing opportunities for children to lead real change in the fight against childhood obesity,” Rowe said. “FUTP60 also gives leaders in health, business, government and communities a greater

opportunity to help children develop and maintain healthy habits that will last a lifetime.”

MMPA members also participated in the activity, helping kid-consumers and parents put a face on their dairy products. Hillman Local member Katie Dellar tries to describe the student’s enthusiasm for the program, “You could feel the excitement! When it was time to learn everyone listened. When it was time to play, everyone played hard. The kids were all encouraging each other and participating in everything. I took the time to introduce myself as a dairy farmer to the Detroit Lions players and thank them for helping make this program what it is, and in turn, they thanked me!”

Developed over four years ago through a partnership with the National Football League and the National Dairy Council in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the FUTP60 program empowers young people to work with school decision makers to plan and implement strategies for increasing the amount of healthy food choices and physical activity options available in their schools.

“Most people don’t realize FUTP60 is funded by dairy farmers through UDIM and supported by the NFL, MDCH and MEA. FUTP60 can be

22 November 2012

in every school, and that’s its goal. It’s a national program and we are lucky here in Michigan because our program is leading the way for other programs around the nation with the hardworking, dedicated people at UDIM to thank. Also, the program is run by the students at each school and only supervised by the adults. I was amazed with the awesome ideas the kids have come up with to make their programs individual and great,” Katie relays.

This year’s FUTP60 Kickoff to School Health event, the fourth annual, was presented by the Detroit Lions, the Michigan Department of Education (MDE), the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) and the United Dairy Industry of Michigan (UDIM). The day’s “game plan” included music, motivational talks, practicing football training camp-style skills with Detroit Lions players and trying a variety of nutritious food options.

Students interacted throughout the day with several current and former Detroit Lions football players. Former Detroit Lions wide receiver and fourtime Pro Bowl player Herman Moore welcomed participants and lead the pregame warm-up session, while former Detroit Lions fullback, three-time Pro Bowl alternate and team MVP Cory

Schlesinger kicked off the first quarter session before the school “teams” were introduced as they ran through the player tunnel onto the playing field.

During the second quarter “training practice,” they were joined by current Detroit Lions defensive end Cliff Avril and team coaches and trainers.

Participants also sampled a variety of menu items that can be easily and economically replicated by school food service directors. The healthy breakfast menu included pre-packaged apples, bananas, fruit and yogurt muffins, two varieties of yogurt parfaits and ice cold milk.

During the “halftime” lunch, students voted for their favorite new foods during the “taste and vote” tailgate. Students sampled three varieties of pizza: Hawaiian, Mediterranean and Very Veggie. They also tried salad on a stick (cheese cube, spinach, grape

tomato, colored peppers and broccoli), served with dipping sauces; kale chips; cinnamon (pita) chips, served with 4 ounces of apple berry salsa and 2 ounces of blueberry hummus; and ice cold milk.

During the third quarter, former physical educator and action-based learning expert Jean Blaydes revealed secrets about boosting brain power through exercising. In the event’s “final quarter,” participants headed down to the playing field. There they heard from current Detroit Lions wide receiver Nate Burleson who shared tips on eating healthy and being active. The “final play” was a flash workout exercise session that included all 33 school teams, Burleson, USDA administrator Rowe, and U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow and was directed by the Go Comedy! improvisation troupe.

Participation in the FUTP60 program continues to grow. According to a survey conducted during the 20112012 school year, 32 percent of the state’s 1.4 million students are involved in the FUTP60 program and the number of youth involved in the program has increased by 37 percent over the previous 12-month period. To learn how your school can become involved in the “Fuel Up to Play 60” program, visit www.FuelUpToPlay60.com.

Michigan Milk Messenger 23

MSU Club MSUDairy Dairy Club HolidayCheese Cheese Sale Holiday Sale Online sales now available at www.msudairyclubcheese.com

A. Aristocrat This extensive collection includes 1/2 pound blocks of Colby Jack, Pepper Jack, Sharp Cheddar, and Smoked Cheddar. Also, included are three 8-ounce spreads of Sharp Cheddar, Bacon, and Garlic.

The box is topped off with 1 pound of Beef Summer Sausage and Ritz Crackers.

Pick up order: $37.00; Shipped order: $55.00

B. MSU Country Sampler Show your Spartan pride with this delightful array of MSU cheeses. Included are 1/2 pound blocks of Pepper Jack, Mild Cheddar, Colby Jack, Sharp Cheddar, Chocolate Cheese, and Smoked Cheddar all produced at MSU’s own Dairy Processing Plant.

Pick up order: $26.00; Shipped order: $40.00

C. MSU Party Box Enjoy this collection of MSU cheeses. Includes 1/2 pound blocks of Smoked Cheddar, Pepper Jack and Cheddar Cheese. Add on a 1 pound chub of Beef Summer Sausage and you have a great box for all of your holiday get togethers.

Pick up order: $19.00; Shipped order: $30.oo

D. Cheddar Box Includes all three cheddars the MSU Dairy Plant has to offer: Mild, Sharp, and Smoked Cheddar in 1/2 pound blocks. Also, included is an 8-ounce Sharp Cheddar spread from Jim’s Cheese Pantry.

Pick up order: $17.00; Shipped order: $27.00

E. The Classic Box Help support Farm Safety 4 Just Kids! For every Classic box sold, MSU Dairy Club will donate a dollar to help support and promote safety among children and youth on farms.

This box contains 1/2 pound blocks of Mild Cheddar, Sharp Cheddar and Colby Jack.

Pick up order: $14.00; Shipped order: $21.00

G: NEW! Farm Gift Box A novelty box of mild cheddar cheese in fun shapes. The box will include blocks of mild cheddar cheese in the shape of a cow, a barn, and a state of Michigan.

Pick Up order $20

Shipped Order $30

F. Michigan 4-H Cheese Blocks Support Michigan 4-H Dairy Youth and its programs by purchasing a one pound block of Mild Cheddar, made from the milk collected at Michigan 4-H Dairy Days.

Pick up order: $7.50 per block; Shipped order: $13.00 per block

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MPA, in cooperation with the MSU Dairy Club, once again presents several fine cheeses for your holiday gift giving. Special efforts have been taken to offer a wide variety of high quality cheese selections at a great price!

Over the counter cheese box sales will take place November 1-30 in the lobby of the MSU Dairy Store. Orders may also be purchased and picked up in person on December 3 and 4 at Anthony Hall.

For more information, contact the MSU Dairy Club members listed on the next page.

Online sales now available at www.msudairyclubcheese.com 24 November 2012

MSU Dairy Dairy Club MSU Club th th 5454 Holiday Cheese Sale Holiday Cheese Online sales now available at www.msudairyclubcheese.com All Orders Must Be Postmarked by November 30, 2012

Please Mail orders to: The MSU Dairy Club 1272 Anthony Hall East Lansing, MI 48824 Make checks payable to: The MSU Dairy Club

Purchaser Name: Address: City:

State:

Zip:

Phone#:

Order 1

PICKUP: December 3 December 4 OR SHIP (fill out info below, no P.O. Boxes)

Please include this message in my greeting card:

SHIP TO: Address: City: Item Letter

State: Description

Price

MSU Dairy Club Sales Representative: __________________________________

Zip: Quantity

Total

TOTAL

Thank you for your generous support of the MSU Dairy Club!

Order 2

PICKUP: December 3 December 4 OR SHIP (fill out info below, no P.O. Boxes)

Please include this message in my greeting card:

SHIP TO: Address: City: Item Letter

State: Description

Price

MSU Dairy Club Sales Representative: __________________________________

Zip: Quantity

Total

TOTAL

For more information, please contact the following MSU Dairy Club Officers: VP1, Cheese Sale Co-Chair: Katelyn Horning- hornin14@msu.edu Ph: (734) 368 - 3147 VP2, Cheese Sale Co-Chair: Sarah Michalek- michal61@msu.edu Ph: (517) 898 - 5098 President: Lauren Bush – bushlau1@msu.edu Ph: (269)921-2971

Michigan Team Wins National 4-H Dairy Judging Contest

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ichigan is home to the No. 1 youth dairy judging team in the country. The Michigan youth delegation earned enough points to top teams representing 31 other states in this year’s National 4-H Dairy Judging Contest, held Oct. 1 at World Dairy Expo (WDE) in Madison, Wis. The team was the highest ranking team both overall (beating out second-place Minnesota by 44 points) and in oral reasons. The double win is a first for the Michigan Dairy Youth Program, which is led by Joe Domecq, Michigan State University (MSU) animal science specialist and coordinator of the Michigan dairy judging program.

By winning first place overall, the team earned an invitation to travel to Europe for the two-week International Livestock Judging Tour, an honor awarded to the three top-ranking teams from the national contest. While Michigan’s last 4-H WDE judging win was 31 years ago, the Great Lakes State has had three second place and two third place finishes in the past 10 years alone. Team member Megan Bush elaborates, “Our success this year has been a multi-year work-in-progress for our entire program. We couldn’t have done it without the help and support of our coaches, everyone who helped with our practices, the farms that provided such quality classes for us to judge and the generous support we received from our financial sponsors.”

Competing on the Michigan youth team were MSU students Megan Bush, from Swartz Creek; Hayleigh Geurink, Allendale and Savannah Katulski, Goodrich; and Alma College student Megan Filhart, Rosebush. The team was coached by Domecq and Sarah Black, volunteer assistant coach from Eagle.

“I can’t say enough about the level of commitment and dedication the members of this team made in preparation for the national contest,” Domecq said. “In addition, the program is fortunate to have a large 26 November 2012

number of volunteers and judging team alumni who are willing to volunteer numerous hours to help train and mentor the youth over the course of the practice season.

The Michigan 4-H Dairy Judging Team (l-r) Savannah Katulski, The entire Hayleigh Geurink, Coach Joe Domecq, Assistant Coach Sarah experience Black, Megan Bush and Megan Filhart. is about in the Guernsey breed, second in more than the Holstein breed and fifth in the practicing for a contest – it’s about Jersey breed. Individually, each team continuing to build the dairy judging member placed among the top 10 in program and helping these young one or more breeds. people develop the skills necessary to succeed in life.”

The Michigan State Ag Tech dairy judging team also placed fourth

Megan echoes, “Judging is so in the Post-Secondary Contest at much more than just a contest, it WDE. Team members included: really helps shape the person you are Malissa Reed, Britney Zondlak, Alli becoming, making you a stronger, Oesch and Adam Guernsey. more confident and professional individual. We are so proud to be

World Dairy Expo is like no able to say that we brought home an other dairy industry event in the honor for Michigan that has never world. It features an industry trade been done before at the WDE, and show with well over 1,100 exhibitors we hope we’ve proved Michigan has from around the world, national a high quality program that works dairy cattle shows and sales for hard, and still has fun doing it.” seven dairy cattle breeds, youth judging contests, virtual farm tours

Winning such a prestigious and educational programs. Total contest doesn’t require months, but attendance for the weeklong event rather years of preparation. Megan tallies close to 70,000. shares, “Hayleigh and I have been on the same team for the last three

Sponsors for the MSU and years and we have worked very hard Michigan dairy youth judging with past and current team members programs are the Michigan Milk to get ready for Madison. I have Producers Association, ABS Global, a very strong bond not only with Inc., NorthStar Cooperative, the my teammates, but with everyone Michigan Holstein Association, the that participates in dairy judging.

Michigan District 1 and District 6 Michigan’s program has a way of Holstein Associations, the Michigan bringing us all together and making Jersey Cattle Club, the United us feel like a big family.”

Dairy Industry of Michigan and the Michigan Dairy Memorial and

As a team, Michigan placed Scholarship Foundation. first in the Ayrshire breed, first

Continued from page 21 got married in March 2008.”

With no prior dairy experience, Emily says she’s still adjusting to the lifestyle. “The late nights and dinners alone are getting easier and it helps having our 16-month-old daughter Sofia around to keep me busy,” she shares. “I had to adjust to the fact that all our vacations revolve around farm trips and conferences.”

A home school graduate, Emily attended Grace Bible College near Grand Rapids earning a general studies degree in 2007.

As if managing a household and taking care of Sofia wasn’t enough, Emily works part-time at a local restaurant, sells the family’s farm fresh eggs at the farmers market and cans and prepares food from her garden. She’s also worked as a parttime, as-needed milker for the farm and fondly remembers many of the couple’s “tractor dates.”

Looking Toward the Future With their employees graduating this year, finding part-time labor is one of Heritage Farm’s greatest challenges.

Randy hopes that converting from a double-6 step-up to a double-12 parallel parlor, which should be complete by February, will ease the strain on current farm employees.

“Sure we need a new shop someday and we could always use more cows and land. But I’m happy with where we are now,” Randy confirms.

The Berens plan to expand their family in the coming years and continue teaching their children to love and appreciate animals and agriculture.

Michigan Milk Messenger 27

MMPA Members Featured at World Dairy Expo

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MPA’s top quality award winners, Ryan and Charina Dellar were one of seven farms chosen to host a virtual farm tour at the 2012 World Dairy Expo held in October. The Dellars were nominated by PortaCheck and MMPA to be chosen as a virtual farm tour host.

The Dellars presented their farm and management program to a standing-room-only crowd on October 6. Throughout their presentation, they stressed the commitment they have to producing high quality milk and urged the farmers in attendance to do the same.

“Being a dairy farmer is rewarding in itself. Producing some of the highest quality milk in the country, just adds to it,” Charina said. “I believe every farmer has the capability to do the same things that we have. Challenge yourselves and only positive things will come of your herd. You will be amazed at how high production and high quality milk go hand in hand.”

Charina shared with the audience the strict protocols they follow in their milking routine, based on training they received from MMPA’s Milker Training Schools.

“At the milker training school I met an amazing teacher and mentor Tom Herremans, one of the many wonderful field staff employees of MMPA,” she told the crowd. “When I attended the school, our SCC was averaging around 250300,000 which really wasn’t all that bad, or so I thought.

After attending the class, I changed everything about the way I milked and handled cows. About a year after the class, in 2009, I had cut the herd’s SCC down to 70,000. By 2010-11, it was down to 55,000 and now in 2012, I have reached a number I never thought possible averaging 40,000 for the fiscal milk year. “

In addition to changing their milking routine, Charina also implements on-farm milk culturing to accurately treat any mastitis and to closely track any chronic problems.

“Once we lowered our SCC to the level we were at now, it limited my testing abilities when using the CMT paddle. The CMT paddle would read a SCC that was at 250,000 or higher.

So I started using the Porta Cell strips. The strips enable me to read an individual quarter at as low as 40,000, where the CMT paddle would only go as low as 250,000,” she said.

28 November 2012

“I use the strips on a daily basis, testing all fresh cows at 36 hours post calving, on all cows that are finishing treatment for mastitis and are about to be put back into the milk line. I find the strips to be most beneficial when I receive my DHI hot sheet from test day. If I have a cow on the list that is running a 190,000 SCC and the CMT paddle shows a negative result for all quarters, I am able to then take a sample from each quarter and run the porta cell test and find which quarter is running high.”

While at World Dairy Expo the Dellars had the chance to tour the expansive trade show, watch the World Classic Sale and check out the fancy show cows in the barns. They traveled to Madison with MSU educator Phil Durst and other producers from northern Michigan.

“Presenting at World Dairy Expo and getting the chance to see everything here is a huge honor for us,” Charina said.

“We are grateful to have been considered one of the top-notch dairy’s in the industry and given the opportunity to tell others our story.”

Michigan Milk Messenger 29

Agriculturally Speaking…

Michigan’s Food and Agricultural Products Showcased in the World Marketplace By: Jamie Clover Adams, Director, MI Department of Agriculture & Rural Development

T

he global economy continues to change and expand creating more opportunities for Michigan’s food and agriculture products.

Michigan’s agricultural diversity – more than 200 commodities– and the associated processing, puts us in a strong position to take advantage of these global opportunities.

Countries, such as China, have a growing middle class; and with that growth comes a hunger for new products like dried cherries, blueberries, cheese and so much more. The growing middle class combined with the opening of the Michigan Center Office in Shanghai makes this a great time for Michigan’s food and agriculture companies to consider testing the waters in trade and export.

Currently, Michigan exports almost one-third of the crops grown here, with the top five agricultural exports being soybeans, feed grains, vegetables, fruits and dairy products.

The top five countries eager for Michigan-grown products are Canada, Mexico, Japan, Korea, and China.

While the prospect of exporting can seem daunting, there are countless reasons why Michigan’s food and agriculture companies should consider it. First and foremost is that about 95 percent of the world’s consumers live outside of the United States. So if a company is only selling in the domestic market, it’s only reaching a small share of the potential customer base – the growth opportunities may lie in another country. Demographers predict the world’s population will reach 9.1 billion by 2050. That’s 34 percent more people to feed. Because of our diversity and production capacity, Michigan can certainly play a role in meeting those needs.

30 November 2012

To remain competitive and expand business operations, I would encourage our food and agriculture businesses to take a look at their export potential. Through exporting, companies can reduce dependence on existing domestic markets, offset slow sales due to economic changes, consumer demands and seasonal fluctuations.

If companies are interested in beginning to export, but they are nervous or just don’t know where to start, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s (MDARD) International Marketing Program can help. Our goal is to assist Michigan’s food, agriculture and land-based industries to expand their customer base and open new business opportunities.

According to USDA’s Economic Research Service, there were 17,000 agricultural export-related jobs in Michigan in 2011. Michigan food and agriculture exports generated $2.33 billion in economic activity in 2011 – a good first step as we aim to increase agricultural exports to $3.5 billion by 2015. These figures are proof positive that food and agriculture exports are helping grow the state’s second largest economic sector and giving Michigan a stronger foothold in the global marketplace.

MDARD assists Michigan producers and processors in the development of trade opportunities for new markets or expanding their existing markets. MDARD staff organizes and implements activities such as export seminars, buyers missions, trade missions, and Michigan Pavilions at selected domestic and international trade shows to showcase Michigan-based companies in the global economy.

Additionally, through the work

of our Pesticide and Plant Pest Management (PPPM) Division, MDARD helps facilitate the export of nursery stock, fruits, vegetables, grains, logs, lumber and other plants and plant products. PPPM inspects these commodities and certifies they are free of plant pests that could adversely affect the agriculture and environment of the importing country. In doing so, PPPM plays a crucial role in expediting international trade by our producers and shippers, promoting the reputation of Michigan products with importers and building trusting relationships with the governments of those countries.

Additional assistance is provided through consulting services to food and agriculture firms such as market research, trade leads, advice on export pricing, order processing, determining required documentation, international market development policy issues and identifying and overcoming barriers to market access.

The International Marketing Program also helps Michigan companies tap a variety of federal export assistance programs, including the Branded Program through the Food Export Association of the Midwest USA. This program provides 50 percent reimbursement for marketing and promotional expenses incurred by companies and commodity groups to expand international and domestic sales.

Companies interested in learning more about export markets can contact Jamie Zmitko-Somers, International Marketing Manager, at 517-241-3628 or by email at zmitkoj@michigan.gov.

Poston Recommended as Dean of MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

F

red Poston, Michigan State University’s vice president for finance and operations, will be recommended to serve as dean of the university’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and special adviser to the president.

If approved by the MSU Board of Trustees at its Oct. 26 meeting, the appointment will be effective Jan. 1, 2013.

Poston would succeed Douglas Buhler, who has served as interim dean since January 2011. Poston would be returning to the college where he served as dean for eight years (1991-98).

“We are very grateful that Dr. Poston has agreed to return to the college where he began his MSU career,” said MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon. “He brings to the position his knowledge of our landgrant mission, a strong awareness of the needs of Michigan’s agriculture community, and, of course, familiarity with the college.

“I’d also like to thank Interim Dean Doug Buhler, who guided the college with a sure and steady hand through challenging times.”

Poston has been vice president for finance and operations since 1999.

During that time, he has managed the financial planning of the university, kept housing costs among the lowest of the Big 10, overseen the building of a nationally acclaimed recycling center, and facilitated a new university-wide human resources management program.

“Fred possesses broad knowledge and understanding of both the mission of MSU and agriculture and natural resources industries, making him an ideal choice to lead this college,” said MSU Provost Kim Wilcox.

In his time as dean, Poston guided the Revitalization of Michigan Animal Agriculture project, created Project GREEEN (Generating Research and Extension to meet Economic and Environmental Needs), and developed the Partnership for CoSystem Research and Management with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Great Lakes Fishery Commission.

“We are very pleased to have the opportunity to again work with Dr. Poston,” said Wayne Wood, president of the Michigan Farm Bureau.

“Under his previous tenure, we experienced completion of two of the most important projects impacting agriculture, the Animal Initiative and Project GREEEN. We look forward to that same vision and leadership as we tackle the challenges and opportunities facing our industry today.”

agribusiness and MSU and continue MSU’s long commitment to agriculture.”

Prior to coming to MSU, Poston was director of Washington State University’s Cooperative Extension Service and associate dean of agriculture and home economics. Before that, he was on the entomology faculty at Kansas Cooperative Extension Service.

A native of Florida, Poston received his bachelor’s degree from West Texas State University and his graduate degrees in entomology from Iowa State University.

A decision regarding the vice president for finance and operations role will be completed in the next few months.

Selecting Poston was a great choice, said, James Byrum, president of the Michigan Agri-Business Association.

“I am thrilled about MSU’s appointment of Fred Poston as dean of CANR,” he said. “He has a long history with Michigan agriculture and understands the importance of the industry to the state. He will restore the partnership between

Michigan Milk Messenger 31

Merchandise Memo To order call: 1-800-572-5824 then dial 2

Inflation Changes Milk-Rite has informed us that they will discontinue the inflations listed below. Due to low sales volume, they are no longer cost effective to manufacture. They have provided a list of possible alternatives which have a similar application and can be considered as substitutes. While the inflations may not be identical in design, they should fit your existing equipment. Be sure to monitor the performance of any new inflation to determine if they meet your farm’s needs. If it is necessary to switch to a different inflation, the warehouse stocks a wide variety. We can cross reference the Milk-Rite number with most other brands.

Please be sure to contact the warehouse with any questions you may have regarding these changes.

Discontinued Inflations DKBM JFSU FD2 FD63 CSU B2 A2 20281 L23 KFU-LT MAX-N1

Stock number Possible Alternative 5336 B1U 5350 JFSU-LT 5338 FD1 5340 FD1 5335 FDU 5331 ASM 5327 ASM 5320 282U 5353 None 5352 KF 5355 NP-16

Stock number 5330 5351 5337 5337 5341 5328 5328 5397 5433 5432

REGISTERED HOLSTEIN BULLS Over 100 service age bulls for your selection! a special herd sire or a truck load of breeder bulls. Ready to go to work on your farm!

• SIRED BY THE TOP SIRES FROM THE U.S. AND CANADA

GREEN MEADOW FARMS

• FROM OUR TOP PRODUCTION COWS.

ELSIE, MI 48831

www.greenmeadowfarms.com

6400 HOLLISTER RD. PH: 989-862-4291

32 November 2012

Order Your MMPA Merchandise through your milk hauler or call: Supervisor:

Duane Farmer 989-681-2334 Fax: 989-681-3988 Toll Free: 877-367-6455 Orders (Novi) 800-572-5824 then dial 2

MMPA Quality Premium Program

S

omatic Cell Count premiums and deductions (in addition to Federal Order SCC Adjustments computed in the producer pay price) will be paid at the following levels: • 50,000 or below +55¢/cwt.

• 51,000 - 75,000 +50¢/cwt.

• 76,000 - 100,000 +45¢/cwt.

• 101,000 - 125,000 +40¢/cwt.

• 126,000 - 150,000 +35¢/cwt.

• 151,000 - 175,000 +30¢/cwt.

• 176,000 - 200,000 +25¢/cwt.

• 201,000 - 225,000 +20¢/cwt.

• 226,000 - 250,000 +15¢/cwt.

• 251,000 - 400,000 00¢/cwt.

• 401,000 - 500,000 -15¢/cwt.

• 501,000 - 600,000 -30¢/cwt.

• 601,000 - 750,000 -$1.00/cwt.

• Over 750,000 -$1.50/cwt.

A payment of 5¢/cwt. will be added for each of the following, if the count is equal to or below: • 10,000 Raw Bacteria Count • 20,000 Pre-Incubated (PI) Count There will be a deduction of 10¢/cwt. for: • Greater than 100,000 Raw Bacteria Count

A high raw count deduction will be waived if the producer has received the quality premium the previous three months for raw bacteria count.

To qualify for Raw and PI Bacteria Count premiums there must not be any of the following during the month: • Positive drug residue • Abnormal freeze points • High load count shipment or rejected load shipment • #3 or #4 sediment • Raw Bacteria count over 100,000 The count levels for raw and PI will be determined on one test run per month.

For Service, call the Ecolab Service Message Center 1-800-392-3392 or

To qualify for MMPA SCC premiums there must be: • No abnormal freeze points during the month

Stan Palmer 5303 E. Swan Drive #3 Port Clinton, OH 43452 419-797-2101

To qualify for MMPA volume premiums there must be: • No abnormal freeze points during the month • An average somatic cell count of 750,000 or less.

Ben Johnson 4461 Cambridge Dr. Port Huron, MI 48060 810-824-0636

MMPA Member Testing Fees

P

ayment for testing will be made through an automatic milk check deduction. All costs are listed per individual sample.

• Scheduled Herd Tests $1

Scheduled Herd Test samples are tested for: Culture for Streptococcus agalactiae, Strep non ag, Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase negative staph, coliform and SCC.

Additional testing can be coordinated through your MMPA Member Representative to include: Raw bacteria count and components.

All herd tests must be scheduled with the laboratory through your MMPA Member Representative.

Chemical, Sanitizer & Teat Dip Contact Information

Members who choose to receive their lab test results via U.S. postal service: $2/month

These are service personnel only.

Order your Member Merchandise supplies through your hauler.

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

Jason Koerth 7509 Aborcrest Dr. Portage, MI 49024 269-207-3773 Pat Mitchell 7273 N. Rollin Hwy. Addison, MI 49220 517-403-0928

Additional Tests Available: All costs are listed per individual sample.

• Mycoplasma Cultures $12 • Bacteriology Cultures $13 – Includes identification of bacteria

and drug susceptibility.

• Bovine Viral Diarrhea

- PCR

- ELISA • Johne’s Milk Test

- PCR

- ELISA – cows - ELISA – tank • Bovine Leukosis Test

- ELISA – cows - ELISA – tank

$40 $ 6 $40 $ 6 $10 $ 6 $10

A & L Laboratories 24 -Hour Medical Emergency Hotline: 1-800-424-9300 Kurt Fiene 8356 C.R. 115 Kenton, OH 43326 612-889-1063 Jeff Timm NW 8665 C.R. M Shawano, WI 54166 612-840-0555

All tests must be scheduled through your MMPA Member Representative or the laboratory for proper sample submission protocol.

Michigan Milk Messenger 33

Freeliners

Call 1-800-572-5824 ext. 202 to place your ad or email to: Muszynski@mimilk.com

Bulls Registered Holstein Bulls: We now have a nice selection of service age bulls, sired by top AI sires. Green Meadow Farms, Elsie, MI. 989-8624291 or see our website at www. greenmeadowfarms.com.

Service age Holstein bulls: Call Steve Alexander, 810-622-8548 evenings or 810-404-8548.

Freeliner 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 months (one month, 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 contacting their MMPA Member Representative or 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 may choose to have the item published as a Classified Ad at the regular per-line Classified Ad rate.

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

Example: to be included in the January issue, the freeliner must be at the MMPA office by December 10.

34 November 2012

Registered Holstein breeding bulls, all AI sired from top bulls, b&w, red, red carrier and some polled, high production, low SCC herd. Bulls are priced to sell. Ver Hage Holsteins, 269-673-4886 or 269-217-6076, ask for Tim. www.verhageholsteins.com.

Equipment

Service age Reg. Holstein bulls, deep pedigrees, some red carriers.

Jenesis Genetics, 231-924-6163 or 231-225-8615.

John Deere 4400 combine with 213 grain platform and 443 corn head.

989-615-6372.

Breeding bulls, including Russell Super Sampler son from VG Bolton born 10/8/10 with 2000 GTPI. Several bulls ready for heifers and a 3/20/12 Red Polled bull around 2000 GTPI. Call Wardin Bros. at 989-6423262.

Jersey / Holstein cross bulls 100% AI. 810-724-8825.

Holstein bulls, most from ET flushes. Top sires and top dams.

Several to choose from and priced reasonable. Dale-Stamp Farms, Marlette. 989-737-2342.

Cows and Heifers 18 registered Holstein heifers, due now, bred 9/15 through 12/1. 989635-2796 or 989-467-0215.

Closed herd of 50 Holstein milking cows, averaging 90 lbs. per cow per day. These cows have a RHA of 28,500. Low SCC, with 37 years of AI breeding, select mated to top AI sires. Records available. 989-5503856.

Very good condition Lilliston bean combine, 6-row Lockwood bean windrower and 6-row speedy edible bean puller. $5,000 for all. Call 616634-2958.

Manure Equipment: 33ft McLanahan Sand Manure Separator.

Two Integrity Roller Presses and 15-ft Screw Press. Package or by the piece.

Contact Hillhaven Farms at 989-7625622 or Mike Rasmussen at 989-3040233.

Dairy Equipment Single 10 parallel parlor with automatic takeoffs, pulsators, milker units. Complete with pipeline, washer, controls, minus vacuum pump, $7,500. Surge stainless steel 800 gal. bulk tank w/washer, compressor, Freon water cooler & storage tank, $4,000 obo. AO Smith gas water heater, $500. 989-871-3401.

Michigan Milk Messenger 35

Classifieds Call 1-800-572-5824 Call 1-800-572-5824 ext. 202 or email ext. 224 to: Muszynski@mimilk.com

Classified Ads ($20 per ad up to 6 lines)

Mail ads to: Classified Ads, Michigan Milk Messenger, PO BOX 8002, Novi, MI 48376-8002. Or email to Muszynski@mimilk.com. Ads must be received by the 10th of the month before the month of desired publication. Send check or money order for $20 for up to 6 lines with your order. MMPA neither sponsors nor endorses products or services advertised in the Messenger.

OPPERMAN GROOVING: 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. 3 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 ______________________________________ Concrete Grooving/Floor Texturing: Bring existing grooves back to 100% efficiency/new construction. Blue Ribbon Hoof Trimming, LLC. 989-635-1494. ______________________________________

For sale: 5000-4000-3000-2500-2000-1500 OH Mueller late model bulk tank milk tanks, complete, will trade.

1-800-558-0112. ______________________________________ Wanted to buy: Used bulk milk tanks, 200 gallons & larger, Sunset & Mueller, 1-800-558-0112. ______________________________________ Hoof trimming: certified, experienced, w/ references. Craig Martin, 517-231-7790.

Hoof trimming: Servicing Central to West MI. Dairyland Hoofcare Institute certified, references available upon request. Reaux-Dale Hoofcare, 616-862-6668. ______________________________________

Generators Winpower & Katolight

Stocking up to 100 KW 24 Hour Emergency Service serving Michigan for the past 30 years 800-345-1887 Midwest Power Systems

Improve bottom-line $$. Lower feed costs. Maximize production.

Ingredients from your trusted source.

Zeeland Farm Services, Inc.® MI: 866.888.7082 Fax: 616.772.7067 www.zfsinc.com

Low Fat Hominy 7% minimum protein 7% maximum fiber 4% minimum fat

Citrus Pulp

16% maximum fiber 6% minimum protein 2.1% maximum calcium 2% minimum fat

Valero Meal

PTO and Automatic Start Generators 1-800-248-8070 M-40 South Hamilton, MI 49419

36 November 2012

34% minimum protein 13% maximum crude fiber 4% minimum fat

Traditional ZFS® Menu Soybean meal, soybean hulls, cereal feed, cottonseed, distillers, gluten, canola meal, beet pulp, wet feeds, and more!

Policies MMPA Policy on Drug Residue in Milk: MILK ON FARM – DRUG RESIDUE SUSPECTED

MILK SHIPPED — POSITIVE drugs CONFIRMED

If a member suspects milk in the farm bulk tank contains drug residue:

If a member ships milk from the farm and testing by approved laboratory methods show that the milk contained drug residue, the member will be assessed the penalties imposed by the state regulatory agency and be disqualified for raw and PI bacteria count premiums.

1. Call a MMPA Member Representative to have the milk in the tank tested. A “hold” must be placed on the tank contents until the test results are known. - OR 2. The member can test the milk on the farm. If dumped, the member must be sure to take the stick reading, record the number of pounds of milk, and report the information to their membership representative.

• If the tank tests negative (no drugs present), the milk may be released and shipped.

• If the tank tests positive (drugs present), the membership representative will authorize the member to dump the tank of milk.

The member will be paid 75% of the value of the tank of milk involved.*

• If for any reason MMPA personnel must pick up samples at the farm for testing three or more times within 12 consecutive months, the member involved will be charged $25 per trip.

If a loss is incurred by MMPA due to the disposal and/or nonmarketability of a load of milk or milk products containing drug residue, then the member responsible will be provided an invoice for the entire value of the loss plus transportation and disposal costs as required by the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance. This invoice may be submitted to the member’s insurance carrier. MMPA must receive settlement on the invoice within 90 days of issuance. If settlement is not made within 90 days, the full amount of the invoice will be deducted from the next milk check unless other settlement arrangements are made.

Milk from that member’s farm tank must be tested and found clear of drugs before the next tank of milk can be picked up.

A hauler whose entire load sample shows the presence of drugs will be charged the amount of an average shipment on that load if the individual member samples all show negative.

ALL POSITIVE DRUG RESIDUE SHIPMENTS MUST BE REPORTED TO THE ENFORCEMENT AGENCY.

MMPA Policy on Milk Quality QUALITY QUESTIONABLE

REJECTED LOAD SHIPMENT

When a member suspects that the milk in the farm bulk tank is of poor quality they should call a MMPA Member Representative who will authorize milk in the tank to be dumped. If the member dumps the milk on their own, they must be sure to take the stick reading and record the number of pounds of milk, and report the information to the Member Representative.

If:

If the milk is dumped, the member will be paid 75% of the value of the tank of milk involved.*

In order to receive payment for an added water voluntary dump, the member must install a Swingline Safety Switch. The Swingline Safety Switch can be ordered from the St. Louis warehouse. The MMPA Member Representative will verify the switch has been installed. Reimbursement for the Swingline Safety Switch and the voluntary dump will then be made to the member.

The member assumes all liability for losses incurred as a result of shipping poor quality or contaminated milk.

MILK SHIPPED – HIGH BACTERIA COUNT If:

1. A load of milk is received (unloaded) at a dairy processing plant and,

2. a sample from the load has a bacteria count of 300,000 or more and,

3. testing of the individual member samples on that load identifies the member or members having a bacteria count of 300,000 or more, then the member or members involved will be charged the value of one-half of one day’s production** and will be disqualified for raw and PI bacteria count premiums. **For members using more than one bulk tank, the assessment will be based on the value of milk in the tank or tanks in violation of the MMPA quality policy.

1. A load of milk is rejected (not unloaded) at a dairy processing plant and,

2. the milk cannot be sold through normal Grade A channels for reasons of quality which results in the load being sold or disposed of at a loss to MMPA, and,

3. testing of the individual member samples on that load identifies the member or members that caused the contamination or rejection of the load, then, the member or members responsible will be charged the full value of the loss to MMPA plus transportation and disposal costs, and be disqualified for raw and PI bacteria count premiums except for loads rejected for temperature.

4. MMPA will provide an invoice to the member for the amount of the loss, to be submitted to the member’s insurance carrier. MMPA must receive settlement on the invoice within 90 days of issuance. If settlement is not made within 90 days, the full amount of the invoice will be deducted from the next milk check unless other settlement arrangements are made.

If a member has a third occurrence or more within 12 consecutive months, that member must appear before the MMPA board of directors to review steps taken on the farm to correct the quality problem which will enable MMPA to continue to market the milk for this member.

HAULER

A hauler whose entire load sample exceeds 300,000 per mL bacteria count will be charged the amount of an average shipment on that load if the individual member samples all are less than 100,000.

A hauler will be responsible for all costs incurred by MMPA for loads rejected for temperature.

Charges and assessments made under this program will be withheld from milk checks of members or haulers involved.

* The member will only be paid for two (2) voluntary dumps in a rolling 12 month period.

Michigan Milk Messenger 37

Market Report For Milk Marketed in September 2012

MARKET STATISTICS Mideast Federal Order #33 (pounds)

This Month

Year Ago

Total Class 1 Sales

481,107,660

542,862,735

-11.38

Total Class 2 Sales

286,390,471

245,852,357

+16.49

Total Class 3 Sales

275,538,151

447,383,798

-38.41

Total Class 4 Sales

146,800,104

71,139,092

1,189,836,386 1,307,237,982

Total Production Class 1 Utilization

40.4%

NATIONAL TRENDS (million pounds)

% Change

2012

2011 % Change

+106.36

Production California

3,184

3,312 -3.9

-8.98

Wisconsin

2,186

2,124

+2.9

Idaho

1,143

1,117

+2.3

New York

1,061

1,037

+2.3

Pennsylvania

831

854

-2.7

Texas

738

774

-4.7

Minnesota

714

708

+0.8

Michigan

705

686

+2.8

New Mexico

639

669

-4.5

Washington

505

515

-1.9

Ohio

424

415

+2.2

Indiana

285

284

+0.4

14,670

14,744

-0.5

140,855 137,396

+2.5

41.5%

Mideast Federal Order #33

Current Month Total Producers 6,265 Average Daily Production per Farm 6,331 Average Protein Test 3.08% Average Butterfat Test 3.63% Average Other Solids Test 5.73% Average SCC Count (MMPA) 183,000

* Total U.S. * U.S. Y-T-D

COMPONENT PRICING INFORMATION Mideast Federal Order #33 Protein Price/lb.

$3.2521

Butterfat Price/lb.

$2.0047

Other Solids Price/lb.

$0.3971

Class III Price @ 3.5%

$ 19.00

Prod. Price Diff/cwt. (Mich. Mkt.)

($0.67)

Uniform Price @ 3.5%

$ 18.33

SCC Adjustment/cwt./1000

38 November 2012

$0.00093

* For 23 states

NASS Survey Prices

Monthly Avg Cheese /lb Butter /lb Nonfat Dry Milk /lb Dry Whey /lb

1.8647 1.8269 1.3768 0.5846

MMPA Staff NOVI (Headquarters) 248-474-6672 800-572-5824 General Manager Clay Galarneau, ext. 200 Member Services Milk Sales/Dispatch Finance/Controller Dean Letter, ext. 213 Carl Rasch, ext. 244 Joseph M. Diglio, ext. 240 Laboratory Supervisor Manufactured Product Sales Credit/Insurance

Patti Huttula, ext. 219 Jim Dodson, ext. 229 Cheryl Schmandt, ext. 210 Human Resources Member Relations/Public Affairs Data Processing

Cindy Tilden, ext. 220 Sheila Burkhardt, ext. 208 Gregory Schulkey, ext. 237

Member Communications

Laura Moser ext. 296

Alex Schnabelrauch ext. 211

MANUFACTURING PLANTS

Constantine 269-435-2835 Plant Manager Dave Davis

MASTITIS MANAGEMENT Tom Herremans......................231-853-8008 Ravenna mobile 269-967-0890 Steven Lehman.......................989-875-3441 Ithaca .................... mobile 989-330-1638 Christy Dinsmoore........................................

Fairgrove............... mobile 989-528-9102

NORTH AREA Supervisor: Gerry Volz St. Louis Office....................989-289-9219 Frank Brazeau........................920-834-4059 Oconto, Wis. mobile 906-250-0337 Ben Chapin....................................................

Big Rapids mobile 989-289-0731 Preston Cole............................231-584-2587 Mancelona mobile 989-289-9301 Lyndsay Earl.................................................

Ludington mobile 231-519-2455 Kristin Rawlings...........................................

Cass City mobile 231-414-4539 Lyndsay Santure............................................

St. Johns mobile 989-488-8159 Gerry Volz...............................989-848-5996 Fairview mobile 989-289-9219

MMPA FIELD STAFF

Ovid 989-834-2221 Plant Manager/Plant Operations David Wittkop

SOUTH AREA Supervisor: Ed Zuchnik Coldwater Office.................269-967-7351 Krista Beeker.................................................

Howe, IN mobile 269-986-6792 David Brady............................517-522-5965 Grass Lake............ mobile 517-937-9061 Emily Butcher................................................

Middlebury, IN...... mobile 269-535-0822 Kendra Kissane Hudsonville

mobile 269-245-6632

Andrew Rupprecht.......................................

Clio......................... mobile 269-986-6793 Elyse Wilcox...................................................

Eaton Rapids.......... mobile 810-701-6460 Ed Zuchnik....................................................

Three Rivers.......... mobile 269-967-7351 Other Services:

If you are unable to reach your assigned member representative, contact any one of the representatives listed in your area.

MMPA Labs Novi: 800-572-5824 (in MI)

800-233-2405 7 a.m. - 4 p.m. Mon-Fri

Gary Best................................810-664-4984 Lapeer mobile 586-484-9279 Bulk Tank Calibration

Ovid: 989-834-2515 6 a.m. - 10 p.m. Daily

Katie Pierson.................................................

Coleman mobile 989-289-9686

Constantine: 800-391-7560 7 a.m. - 10 p.m. Daily

Michael Marvin......................989-670-4864 Marlette Energy Auditor

Merchandise—St. Louis Supervisor: Duane Farmer..989-681-2334 Fax........................................989-681-3988 Toll Free...............................877-367-6455 Orders (Novi)...800-572-5824 then dial 2

Michigan Milk Messenger 39

2 June 2012 2012 40 November

Grand Champion Cheese Cowslip Creamery