MMPA Milk Messenger January/February 2021

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2021

VOL. 103

/ NO. 4

MMPA TOP QUALITY AWARD WINNER:

Doing the Little Things Right

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A LITTLE MAGIC IN THE KITCHEN

DAIRY CARE ACADEMY: MEETING WHERE YOU ARE

FULL QUALITY AWARD WINNERS LISTING INSIDE!

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Call 866-666-7626 • Email AN_DairyHelp@adm.com Visit ADMAnimalNutrition.com

Advanced ration balancing models for exacting nutrition

features

14 A Little Magic in the Kitchen

Ethel’s Baking Company, an MMPA customer, crafts dessert bars and cookies that fit the needs of a gluten-free diet—without compromising taste.

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DAIRY CARE ACADEMY: MEETING WHERE YOU ARE

Employee training delivered to you exactly how you want it. MMPA Dairy Care Academy now offers on-demand training with an online platform, virtually with a scheduled training and on the farm by request.

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MMPA TOP QUALITY AWARD WINNER: DOING THE LITTLE THINGS RIGHT

Gross Farms Registered Holsteins, the 2020 MMPA Quality Award Winners, produce quality milk by doing the little things right consistently.

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contents

SAVE THE DATE FOR MMPA’S 105TH ANNUAL STATE DELGATE MEETING, SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 25, 2021.

APPROPRIATELY TITLED, “JANUARY JERSEYS” BY KATHERINE WEBER OF VASSAR, MICHIGAN.

05 EDITOR’S NOTE

20 OUTSTANDING FOR A REASON 26 MMPA QUALITY AWARDS 30 YOUR DAIRY PROMOTION AT WORK

06 MILK MINUTE

Upholding Financial Strength Together

08 QUALITY WATCH

IN MICHIGAN AND INDIANA

What makes MMPA’s marketability outstanding?

10 NEWS & VIEWS 12 LEGISLATIVE WATCH 13 DIRECTOR AT LARGE NOMINEES

32 FREELINERS & CLASSIFIEDS 33 FARM SUPPLY STORE 34 STAFF 35 MEMBER MOMENT

“Ultimately, our farm’s outstanding quality is because we try to always do the little things right.

It’s not original, but it’s true.”

PHIL GROSS, MMPA MEMBER (PAGE 8)

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VOL. 103

/ NO. 4

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

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

President and Chief Executive Officer Joe Diglio Managing Editor Sheila Burkhardt, Senior Director of Member and Government Relations

Editor’s Note

Editors Allison Stuby Miller, Communications Manager Emily Kittendorf, Communications Coordinator

BY EMILY KITTENDORF

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

There’s no need to recap 2020. Everyone knows it was awful and yet, MMPA members continued to do really great things. Most notably, MMPA members’ average somatic cell count was the lowest it has ever been. So, despite facing a global pandemic, MMPA members continued to triumph on their farms in terms of milk quality.

Publication Designer reZüberant! Inc., Stacy Love rezuberantdesign@gmail.com

On the Cover I was fortunate enough to visit this year’s Quality Award Winner, Gross Farms Registered Holsteins. The farm is beautiful, and the cows are kept immaculately clean. For Steve and Phil Gross and their nephews Kevin and Joel (pictured above), it’s all about doing the little things right that led them to the success they have today.

Learn more about what they have done on their farm to make their milk quality some of the best in Michigan on page 22.

Printing Foresight Group, Stacey Trzeciak staceyt@foresightgroup.net Publication Office MMPA Milk Messenger P.O. Box 8002, Novi, MI 48376-8002 p: 248-474-6672 f: 248-474-0924 e: messenger@mimilk.com w: mimilk.com

Also Inside You can also find other highlights from 2020 inside including a complete list of MMPA’s quality award winners who were recognized at their Local meetings in December (page 26) and a feature on Jesse and Chelsea Ramer, one of last year’s OYDC finalists (page 20). Turn to page 18 and learn about the exciting future of Dairy Care Academy and how they are adapting to the changing world to better serve members’ needs.

Finally, meet an MMPA customer impressed and thankful for members’ commitment to quality. Ethel’s Baking Company, from Shelby Township, Michigan, is the largest baker of truly handmade desserts sold nationally in in-store bakeries. The unique

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

An Equal Opportunity Employer – F/M/V/D Subscriptions: mimilk.com/subscribe MMPA members - 50¢ per year Non-members - $5 per year Circulation: 2,600 (ISSN 0026-2315)

customer focuses on producing gluten-free baked goods from locally sourced ingredients. Learn more on page 14. Photos courtesy of Ethel’s Baking Company. milk messenger / JAN-FEB 2021

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MILK MINUTE

Upholding Financial Strength Together

BY JOSEP BARENYS, MMPA CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

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here’s no doubt 2020 was a challenging year for us all. From members to employees to customers to consumers, everyone has faced the ripple effect of COVID-19. Through the uncertainty, we are proud of our ability to work together, shoulder to shoulder.

As we know, the impact of COVID-19 on food service establishments and customer operations impacted our traditional marketing efforts in 2020. Thanks to the efforts of our team, MMPA was able to allocate more of our milk into our own facilities and achieve optimal results from both a marketing and a financial standpoint. Throughout the rapidly changing milk market, MMPA remained steadfast in its mission to market member milk to the greatest advantage possible. From a financial point of view, MMPA has continued to focus efforts on strengthening member milk checks as much as possible.

JOSEP BARENYS, MMPA CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Federal and state assistance programs have assisted in managing the impacts of market instability and other challenges. MMPA as a business, along with our members, have been able to take advantage of the support to help us navigate through these times.

Despite the volatility of the past year, MMPA retained strong balance sheets while returning value to members. MMPA’s annual report will be released in February and will contain information about MMPA’s financial position, key financial indicators and other financial details regarding fiscal year 2020.

Here are a few key highlights: • MMPA’s strong working capital position allowed MMPA to put more dollars in the advance member milk checks throughout last year.

• MMPA’s revenue remains steady and financial indicators remain well above bank covenants.

• Net savings totaled $5.3 million allocated to members.

• A combined $5.7 million in payments of cash patronage and equity retirement were made to members in fiscal year 2020.

• MMPA paid $21.5 million in producer incentives in fiscal year 2020.

Further, MMPA recently passed back tax credits associated with Section 199A(g) of the Internal Revenue Code, formerly known as the Domestic Production Activities Deduction (DPAD) in 2020. In addition to passing through the deduction for fiscal year 2020, MMPA is also passing through an early 2021 estimated amount to its member-owners for use in the 2020 calendar year. The combination of the fiscal year 2020 section 199A(g) Deduction along with the estimated 2021 pass-through deduction allows the Association to maximize the tax benefit to members in the 2020 taxable year.

As we look to 2021, uncertainty continues, but MMPA remains in a strong position to face what may lie ahead. We continue engaging partners on value-added solutions, promoting our members’ high-quality milk and working together on shared solutions.

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QUALITY WATCH

What makes MMPA’s marketability outstanding?

WE ASKED THE EXPERTS:

Dean Letter

Ben Chapin

Phil Gross

MMPA Director of Member Services

MMPA Field Services Manager

MMPA Member and 2020 Quality Award Winner

Since 1998, MMPA’s Quality Award Program has been split into three different levels: bronze, silver and gold.

During this year’s local meeting season, MMPA awarded 261 bronze awards, 78 silver awards and 29 gold awards.

These farms represent approximately 49 percent of the MMPA membership.

Our members’ efforts on the farm are what make MMPA’s marketability outstanding. On behalf of your MMPA member services team, I would like to take a moment to congratulate and thank all of this year’s survey award winners. This past year we had 161 member farms score 95 and better on surveys. 51 of those members scored a perfect 100.

This is an incredible feat considering the challenges that everyone has been faced with this year.

On our farm, milk quality begins in the freestall barn. We always make sure that our cows have clean sand to lay on and that they don’t have to walk too far to find somewhere to lay down. Cow comfort correlates directly with our milk quality, so we try to stock our barn 10 percent under and reduce parlor wait times.

Additionally, MMPA member representatives nominate members for the National Dairy Quality Awards who go above and beyond to produce exceptional quality milk through exemplary sanitation and animal care.

Look to Hoards Dairyman this month for recognition of this year’s winners.

Why is quality milk at the farm level so important? The answer is simple: processing cannot make a proverbial silk purse out of a sow’s ear. The farm and more specifically, the udder, is where quality dairy products start.

There is nothing that any dairy plant can do to improve the quality of questionable raw milk.

Hats off to those members who continued to produce high quality milk during the challenges of 2020.

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With all that is involved in operating a dairy farm, we recognize the level of dedication it takes to keep your facility in ship shape. Your attention to detail and commitment toward excellence is what passes surveys and keeps milk moving in the marketplace.

The member services team looks forward to working with you this upcoming year and facing challenges together. Congratulations once again on a job well done!

Ensuring that our cows are always kept on clean sand not only reduces risk of mastitis, but also allows the cows to come into the parlor with clean udders. Our milkers can do a good job prepping each cow because they spend less time struggling to get the udders in a clean condition.

In the parlor, our milkers all do the same exact thing the same exact way. The consistency makes it so that the cows don’t know who is milking them and by creating habits, the milkers always do a great job.

Our farm doesn’t have a target somatic cell count and we don’t cull cows as soon as they have mastitis. We always treat the cow and give her a chance before shipping and by putting cow comfort ahead of everything, we let the rest fall into place.

Ultimately, our farm’s outstanding quality is because we try to always do the little things right. It’s not original, but it’s true.

Finding stability in the rumen and in your wallet With prices rising in the protein market, meeting your cows’ energy needs can be a costly challenge.

Optigen is a profit-proving slowrelease nitrogen source that gives your herd the fuel they need to reach your production goals. Feeding the microbes in the rumen allows the animal to digest its diet more effectively, resulting in a boosted energy supply and a healthier, more productive dairy cow.

What can microbial protein do for your herd?

Supports milk production Maximizes rumen efficiency Enhances fiber digestion Promotes butterfat content

Matt Neumayer Territory Sales Manager mneumayer@alltech.com | 989-310-6013

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milk messenger / JAN-FEB 2021

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NEWS & VIEWS

MMPA producers scoring 95 percent or higher on Grade A Surveys and Federal Check Ratings NOFFZE DAIRY FARM LLC* DENISE M THIEM SKUDLAREK DAIRY FARM LLC TODD HEMMINGSON HARDIES AND SONS WERTH DAIRY LLC PAUL W MILLER ENOS GRABER HARLEY S SCHROCK VERLIN R MILLER DEVON RAY YODER GLEN R MAST STEENBLIK DAIRY INC DUTCH MEADOWS DAIRY LLC MARK WILES CHAD PETERS BRUCE A LITWILLER TROY HAYNES SLAVIC FARMS *100 percent

Upcoming Events DISTRICT MEETINGS 2021 District Meetings will be held virtually during the month of February. District delegates will receive more information directly about the meeting as details are finalized.

105TH ANNUAL STATE DELEGATE MEETING MMPA's 105th Annual State Delegate Meeting is scheduled for March 25, 2021. More information about the meeting and its format will be released in the coming weeks.

2021 Milk Check Direct Deposit Schedule To enroll in direct deposit, contact MMPA member services at 248-474-6672.

January 19* and 26

May 17 and 26

September 17 and 27*

February 17 and 26

June 17 and 25

October 18 and 26

March 17 and 26

July 16 and 26

November 17 and 26

April 16 and 26

August 17 and 26

December 17 and 27

*Timing impacted by bank holidays that delay Federal Order 33 settlement dates.

Advisory Committee DISTRICT 1 Dan Minnis, Dansville.........................517-719-5894 Scott Ferry, Litchfield..........................517-214-3298 Art Riske, Hanover..............................517-524-6015 Clark Emmons, Fayette, OH.................419-466-4471 Brian Preston, Quincy.........................517-376-1350

DISTRICT 2 Mark Crandall, Battle Creek.................269-660-2229 Michael Oesch, Middlebury, IN............574-825-2454 Danny Ransler, Gobles.........................269-998-3802 Dan Ritter, Potterville.........................517-645-7318 Richard Thomas, Middlebury, IN..........574-202-5198

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DISTRICT 3

DISTRICT 6

Gary Nelsen, Grant..............................231-834-7610

David Reed, Owosso............................989-274-8147

Bill Gruppen, Zeeland.........................616-520-5143

Mike Halfman, St. Johns......................989-640-1962

Burke Larsen, Scottville......................231-425-8988

Jon Thelen, Westphalia.......................989-587-3951

Max Carlson, Fremont.........................231-638-2183

Renee McCauley, Lowell......................616-283-6411

Arlyn Walt, Coopersville......................616-837-8247

Steve Thelen, Fowler...........................989-640-1075

DISTRICT 4

DISTRICT 7

Jeremy Werth, Alpena.........................989-464-4022

John Bennett, Prescott........................989-345-4264

Marvin Rubingh, Ellsworth.................425-533-8106

Rodney Fowler, Chesaning..................989-302-2299

William Pirman, Skandia.....................906-869-4515

Tracy House, Mt. Pleasant...................989-621-6610

Dave Folkersma, Rudyard....................906-630-1957

Philip Gross, Weidman........................989-289-0670

Paul Ponik, Posen................................989-464-5924

Jason Elenbaum, Mayville...................989-274-1974

DISTRICT 5

DISTRICT 8

Robert Lee, Marion.............................231-743-6794

Darwin Sneller, Sebewaing.................989-977-3718

John Black, Howard City......................231-846-7252

Bill Blumerich, Berlin..........................810-706-2955

Tom Jeppesen, Stanton.......................989-506-5287

Mike Noll, Croswell.............................810-404-4071

Bruce Benthem, McBain......................231-920-1615

Jeremy Sharrard, Peck.........................810-404-5076

Amy Martin, Leroy..............................231-388-0496

Bryan Schulte, Ruth............................989-551-8200

2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines Reaffirm Dairy’s Crucial Nutritional Benefits

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he National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) praised USDA and HHS upon the release of the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA), which reaffirmed dairy’s central role in the diet as a provider of essential nutrients that are often under-consumed in American diets.

NMPF also pledged to continue efforts to broaden consideration of the latest science on dairy fats in the next examination of the federal guidelines, which are released twice each decade.

The guidelines culminate nearly two years of work that began in 2019 with the selection of the Scientific Advisory Committee, which drafts recommendations for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The latest update to the dietary guidelines restates the importance of dairy to diet.

Highlights include: • A recommendation of three servings of dairy in the Healthy U.S. Eating pattern and Healthy Vegetarian Eating patterns, in keeping with past guidelines.

• Dairy’s continued recognition as a distinct food group.

• A recognition that Americans aren’t consuming enough dairy to meet their nutritional needs.

• Dairy’s reaffirmation as a source of four nutrients of public health concern, including potassium, calcium and vitamin D, as well as iodine for pregnant women.

• A recommendation of milk, yogurt and cheese in the first-ever healthy eating patterns geared toward infants and toddlers ages birth to 24 months.

“The panel’s recognition that dairy is a key source of ‘nutrients of concern’ in U.S. diets is especially important,” Mulhern said. “During a time of food insecurity and concerns about proper nutrition among Americans, dairy is a readily accessible solution to clearly identified public-health challenges. Dairy farmers work hard to be part of that solution, and the panel’s recognition of the nutritional importance of dairy is greatly appreciated.”

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans have significant implications for numerous government policy areas, including guiding the types of milk served in school meal programs and setting the parameters for how nutrition programs are implemented and developed.

SOURCE: NMPF

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“During a time of food insecurity and concerns about proper nutrition among Americans, dairy is a readily accessible solution to clearly identified public-health challenges.”

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LEGISLATIVE WATCH

2021 Promises Better Days Ahead, Thanks to the Successes of 2020

BY JIM MULHERN, PRESIDENT & CEO, NATIONAL MILK PRODUCERS FEDERATION

A

JIM MULHERN, PRESIDENT & CEO, NATIONAL MILK PRODUCERS FEDERATION

new year brings new hope, and there are plenty of reasons for hope in dairy as 2021 begins.

The arrival of COVID-19 vaccines promises an eventual return to more normal patterns of life – and less volatility in markets – at some point this year.

A new Congress and administration will provide opportunities to address important concerns – and dairy, with its proud tradition of bipartisanship, is uniquely positioned to seize those opportunities even in a divided government.

And dairy’s 2020 track record of accomplishment – led by the advocacy of the cooperative community from the beginning of the coronavirus crisis last March to the federal assistance package signed into law in late December – provides a formidable foundation to build from as we stay true to our mission of serving our members during the challenging, though in the end brighter, year ahead.

About those accomplishments. There hasn’t been much time to pause and reflect on how profoundly dairy rose to the occasion in 2020 — not in a 24/7, 365-day-a-year industry that never stops producing products and serving consumers. This crisis has evolved too quickly, and the needs have been too ever-changing and acute, for anyone to truly rest. But the gains that our

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members, and everyone in dairy, have made through tireless advocacy have been substantial. The COVID-19 stimulus bill approved in December alone included: • $400 million for a new NMPFbacked Dairy Donation Program open to all producers to help dairy stakeholders and non-profits work together to provide dairy products to food-insecure households and minimize food waste.

• Provisions enabling USDA to provide additional compensation to producers who earlier were unable to receive the full support they needed under the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, which had payment limitations that didn’t fully address the extent of the damages incurred on many dairy farms.

• Supplemental Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) payments for farms whose DMC production history has increased since 2014, up to 5 million pounds. The provision is a boon for smaller operations and increases farm bill baseline spending for all dairy farmers through 2023, the life of the current law.

• Improvements that will make the Paycheck Protection Program work better for sole proprietor, independent contractor and selfemployed dairy farmers by allowing them to use their 2019 gross income to determine their PPP loan amounts.

And of course, dairy farmers will be eligible for support in the $11 billion agricultural disaster assistance package, of which at least $1.5 billion is already being targeted to additional product purchases for distribution to food insecure individuals, included in the legislation Congress has passed.

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It’s important to note that the stimulus bill was only the most recent in a string of policy successes that together have generated well over $5 billion in assistance to dairy producers and helped stabilize markets. It’s also important to remember that each success builds upon earlier ones.

It’s important to note that the stimulus bill was only the most recent in a string of policy successes that together have generated well over $5 billion in assistance to dairy producers and helped stabilize markets. It’s also important to remember that each success builds upon earlier ones.

DIRECTORAT-LARGE NOMINEES Delegates at the 105th Annual State Delegate Meeting will elect one at-large member to serve a three-year term on the MMPA board of directors. There are two candidates vying for the one open position: Carlton Evans and Brian Preston.

For example, the progress on payment limits built on the earlier victory of getting dairy farmers more equitable treatment in payments made under the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program than they had received in earlier programs, like the trade-mitigation payments. Now, CFAP itself has been improved upon. And the supplemental DMC payments will set the stage to remedy a niggling flaw in the DMC’s coverage, that of an out-of-date production history that does not reflect farmers’ current situations. But the DMC was itself a major improvement on the old Margin Protection Program.

And now participation in DMC will be even more fruitful for many producers.

Such gains only come from credibility, persistence, tireless effort and the patient building of relationships with key officials on Capitol Hill and in the administration. It’s the kind of work NMPF has prided itself on, day-in and day-out, throughout its existence – and it’s the dedication that shines through during times of critical need, like what we’ve seen in these past few months.

The year’s successes extend beyond legislation as well. Gains in trade policy helped enable a year of progress for U.S. exports, which data indicates may end up being a record year for the total volume of milk solids exported. Our FARM Program continues to lead in industry best practices. Our successful advocacy in regulatory issues has aided our farmers in the eternal struggle against red tape. And we’ve effectively communicated dairy’s story, to farmers and to the world, letting everyone know that this sector is essential, and resilient, and well-positioned to thrive.

The lessons learned in 2020 both prepare us, and brace us, for the days ahead. With normal times not yet here, 2021 certainly won’t be easy.

But we’re energized by the challenge of serving our members even more effectively. We know we can do it, because we’ve seen the dairy community rise to meet its challenges throughout this past year. And together, we will create better days to come.

Carlton Evans Litchfield, Michigan | District 1

Brian Preston Quincy, Michigan | District 1

Carlton Evans currently serves as an at-large director on the MMPA Board of Directors after being elected to the position in 2018. Prior to joining the board, he was the Hillsdale-Litchfield Local Secretary/Treasurer and a member of the MMPA state advisory and resolutions committees. Evans also served as the Hillsdale-Litchfield Local president, District I president and the reorganization committee. He and his wife, Carol Marz-Evans, were District 1 OYDC representatives in 1989-1992. He is a member of the Hillsdale-Litchfield Local in District 1. Carlton and Carol own a 500-cow dairy in Litchfield, Michigan and they have one son.

Brian Preston operates Preston Dairy LLC, a 1,000-cow dairy, with his family in Quincy, Michigan. He began farming in 2003 and has been involved in MMPA as HillsdaleLitchfield Local President and District 1 Vice President. Preston also sits on the MMPA Advisory and Resolutions Committees. Along with his wife, Carrie, he was selected as the 2014 MMPA Outstanding Young Dairy Cooperators and together they served as the Chaircouple of the National Milk Producers Federation Young Cooperator Council. He is a member of the Hillsdale-Litchfield Local in District 1. Preston has three children.

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ETHEL’S BAKING COMPANY

A Little Magic in the Kitchen 14

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or Jill Bommarito, taste is the ultimate compass. The founder of Ethel’s Baking Company, Bommarito has solved the problem many with gluten-free diets face: how do you make gluten-free desserts that taste as good—or better—than the conventional offerings? An MMPA customer, Ethel’s Baking Company counts on the farmerowned cooperative’s butter to help solve this challenge.

The number of people following a gluten-free diet has swelled in recent years, but it’s nothing new for Bommarito. Celiac disease—an immune disease that causes consumption of products with gluten, like wheat, to damage the small intestine—has been in her family for over 40 years. “No one had heard of it when my aunt was the first to be diagnosed here in Detroit at Henry Ford [Hospital],” she said.

Her family’s experience led Bommarito to develop baking solutions by crafting dessert bars and cookies that fit the needs of a gluten-free diet—without compromising taste.

“I feel sharing food is a highlight in life. Everyone should be able to sit at a table and share amazing food together,” Bommarito said.

In 2011, she opened Ethel’s Baking Company in Shelby Township, Michigan, with their signature product—the “Pecan Dandy”—and operated as a wholesale business. Ethel’s Baking Company’s current product lineup includes a variety of gluten-free dessert bars and cookies.

“We trust our taste buds and our experience to guide the way,’ Bommarito said. “We also say there is a little magic in our kitchen.”

“

“We trust our taste buds and our experience to guide the way,” Bommarito said. “We also say there is a little magic in our kitchen.”

And a little magic goes a long way.

“We are the largest baker of truly handmade desserts sold nationally in in-store-bakeries. We are also the first dessert to pass the threshold on a national level to be an in-storebakery offering that is gluten-free, as an attribute, but loved by all,” CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

MMPA CUSTOMER, ETHEL’S BAKING COMPANY, SHINES IN GLUTEN-FREE BAKED GOODS MARKET

BY ALLISON STUBY MILLER JILL BOMMARITO (RIGHT) WITH HER DAUGHTER, LILY (LEFT), CONTINUE THE FAMILY TRADITION OF BAKING DELICIOUS GLUTEN-FREE GOODS FOR EVERYONE TO ENJOY. PICTURES COURTESY OF ETHEL'S BAKING COMPANY.

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ETHEL’S BAKING COMPANY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

Bommarito said. “That allows us to be offered on traditional bakery tables, along with cookies, pies and other traditional sweets.”

Over the years, Ethel’s Baking Company has grown the footprint of both their kitchen and their distribution. Today, their dessert bars and cookies can be found in Canada and all across the U.S., including stores like Meijer, Whole Foods and Plum Market.

Bommarito asserts the company is taking a pragmatic approach to manage the 10-year-old company’s development. “Our goal is to grow strategically. Growth can sink your ship faster than anything. Our goal is to continue expanding with key retailers, the convenience channels and food service,” she said.

A LITTLE MAGIC GOES A LONG WAY. “WE ARE THE LARGEST BAKER OF TRULY HANDMADE DESSERTS SOLD NATIONALLY IN IN-STORE-BAKERY.”

Their most recent endeavor is a new 15,000 square foot production facility plus space for administration and sales.

The expansion, supported in part from a Food and Agriculture Investment Fund grant, increases their production capabilities and adds new efficiencies in packaging and operations.

Gary McDowell, director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, says he was excited to reinvest in Michigan through this project. “In addition to creating new jobs for a rural community, this project will also help support other

great Michigan companies that supply Ethel’s with key ingredients such as butter, honey and eggs,” he stated.

The butter, of course, comes right from MMPA. The relationship has grown in lock step with Ethel’s Baking Company over the years. Bommarito recalled that when they first started out, they drove to the MMPA plant in Ovid, Michigan with a cashier’s check in hand to pick up their small batch orders. Now Ethel’s Baking Company requires so much butter they have it direct delivered right to their facility.

Bommarito says they are proud to work with MMPA because she loves how MMPA butter is fresh, local and awardwinning. Plus, they are able to support farmers and the Michigan economy.

“I would like to thank the dairy farmers personally for all they do for their families, animals and customers. It is a passion, a lifestyle and a tradition,” Bommarito said. “Thank you for being a partner with us in caring for our customers, our team, our families.”

“

“I would like to thank the dairy farmers personally for all they do for their families, animals and customers.

It is a passion, a lifestyle and a tradition,” Bommarito said.

“Thank you for being a partner with us in caring for our customers, our team, our families.”

CAPTION TO COME

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From the farmers to the bakers, baking delicious gluten-free desserts is a team effort. “We believe our team is much bigger than just ourselves,” Bommarito said.

“Our team extends beyond us and includes our suppliers, our vendors, our stores, partners, all those who help us grow this baking business and help us care for the customers. That means that we want each partner to have a smile on their face when they think of us or walk through our door or interact with our team.”

With the COVID-19 pandemic, Ethel’s Baking Company has not been immune to the added issues. “Like all, we’ve experienced challenges with production, suppliers and distribution during this time,” Bommarito said.

“

“To say this has been an interesting year seems like such an understatement.”

She added that they have sought creative solutions in purchasing while still managing their expansion plans in 2020.

“To say this has been an interesting year seems like such an understatement,” she said. “But truly, we continue to learn, and we are thankful for so many things, including the opportunities ahead.”

This gratitude is evident in everything they do. It’s clear Ethel’s Baking Company strives to be more than just an exceptional gluten-free bakery.

“We also believe we have a larger purpose, to make a difference every day. That can just be saying a kind word to our UPS driver, offering an ear for a team member who is having a struggle or working with a community partner on their project,” Bommarito said. “But the most important thing is that we care for others through food, bringing them something really special that they can enjoy and be proud to share. It is a thread that we think of daily and it shows in the care and dedication of our team.”

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www.greenstonefcs.com milk messenger / JAN-FEB 2021 17 www.greenstonefcs.com

DAIRY CARE ACADEMY

Dairy Care Academy MEETING WHERE YOU ARE

L

ike many other programs, Dairy Care Academy was developed in a pre-COVID world where gathering in small groups

across the state was the most effective way of delivering hands-on employee training.

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The program was originally developed to encourage best practices on the farm and to members meet National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) program requirements. With the traditional programming not feasible at this time, the Dairy Care Academy team has developed additional training resources that may be a silver lining, if there is one, to the current COVID-19 situation.

On-Demand, Online Training Beginning mid-January, MMPA members will have access to an ondemand, FARM program compliant online training platform that covers the traditional Dairy Care Academy topics of milking practices, calf management and dairy stockmanship along with the latest FARM program required training areas of euthanasia, non-ambulatory animal management and fitness to transport.

The six different topics are complete courses with videos and resources compiled by the MMPA Dairy Care Academy team from reputable sources, making it easy for members and farm employees to complete the course relevant to their role on the farm, take a quiz covering what they have learned and receive a printable certificate if they score 80 percent or better on the quiz.

is a virtual replication of traditional Dairy Care Academy programming that will include live training from member representatives on the topics of milking practices, calf management and dairy stockmanship.

Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and interact with the speakers during the training. After completion, participants in attendance will receive a certificate of completion and each member farm will receive a list of their employees who attended to meet FARM program training documentation needs.

Registration is required to attend and can be completed at http://bit.ly/DCARegistration20.

To learn more, visit mimilk.com/DCA or contact your member representative.

In Person Training Dairy Care Academy is founded on in-person trainings hosted across the state and online learning will never be a substitute for hands-on training.

The Dairy Care Academy team is still available to host on-farm trainings upon request.

In the future, when the climate we are living in today changes, the traditional trainings will continue to be offered as long as they continue to be an asset to members. The new online options are not a replacement to the traditional trainings but are another tool in the toolbox for helping members maintain FARM program compliance.

This training resource is available year-round for unlimited use whenever a new employee is hired, retraining is necessary or simply to brush up on your skills. To access the online platform, visit the member portal and select the Dairy Care Academy link on the homepage or ask your member representative for details.

Live Virtual Training For members that prefer a one-time, all-employee training more similar to the traditional Dairy Care Academy, there is a live virtual training scheduled for March 2 that you can tune into on your farm. This training opportunity

MMPA MEMBERS WILL HAVE ACCESS TO AN ON-DEMAND, FARM PROGRAM COMPLIANT ONLINE TRAINING PLATFORM THAT COVERS THE TRADITIONAL DAIRY CARE ACADEMY TOPICS.

DAIRY CARE ACADEMY ONLINE PLATFORM TOPICS INCLUDE: MILKING PRACTICES, CALF MANAGEMENT AND DAIRY STOCKMANSHIP ALONG WITH THE LATEST FARM PROGRAM REQUIRED TRAINING AREAS OF EUTHANASIA, NON-AMBULATORY ANIMAL MANAGEMENT AND FITNESS TO TRANSPORT.

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OYDC FINALISTS

JESSE AND CHELSEA

RAMER

Hometown: Elkhart, IN Local: Constantine District: 2

Accomplished dairy farmers who know what it takes to provide leadership both on the farm and in the co-op.

OYDC Finalists, Jesse and Chelsea Ramer have a deep passion for sharing all things dairy with others – from making their farm a place for dairy education to breaking out their entrepreneurial spirit in making their own cheesecakes. They are known for their forward-thinking goals and never being afraid to chase after them.

Q&A: Q: Why should fellow young cooperators run for OYDC? C: It is refreshing to meet other young farmers and is an opportunity for younger voices to be heard in the industry.

Q: What’s the key to producing quality milk?

J: Putting cows above all. It’s more than just bacteria and cell counts.

Q: What’s your favorite chore?

C: Milking. I enjoy seeing the cows come in full and doing well.

Q: What chore are you most likely to pawn off on someone else?

C: Feeding hay. We store our hay in the top of a bank barn and the floor is sketchy in some areas!

J: Feeding. That takes the most trips around the barn.

Q: How can someone easily improve their milk quality?

J: Spend time in the parlor.

Q: What’s your dream farm?

C: Our farm is our dream farm! We would like more acres to pasture the cows and for feed though.

Q: What are you known for on the farm?

J: I’m the jack of all trades. If something goes wrong, I fix it.

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ON THE FARM Stop by Jesse and Chelsea’s farm and you have the chance to be greeted by a freshly baked cheesecake and their two kids, Adaline (2) and Elise (6 months), along with their 45 Jersey cows.

Be prepared though, to earn your slice of cheesecake, you may have to help them milk in their tie stall barn.

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Ecocool Grain milk messenger / JAN-FEB 2021

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QUALITY AWARD WINNERS

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DOING THE LITTLE THINGS RIGHT

BY EMILY KITTENDORF

GROSS FARMS REGISTERED HOLSTEINS, THE 2020 MMPA QUALITY AWARD WINNERS, PRODUCE QUALITY MILK BY DOING THE LITTLE THINGS RIGHT CONSISTENTLY.

I

n life, success often has humble beginnings.

For Gross Farms

Registered Holsteins, success is built on doing the little things right. As the 2020 MMPA Quality Award Winners, the farm is a testament to what patiently and consistently following through on doing the little things right can do on a farm overtime.

The farm has come full circle through trial and error and learning from others.

“I remember looking at winners’ quality numbers during the Annual Meetings in years past and asking myself, ‘How do they do that?” Steve Gross said. “Then, with time, just doing stuff, it just kind of fell in place for us.”

Now, they are the ones with impressive quality, managing a herd of 135 registered Holsteins in Weidman, Michigan, with an average somatic cell count (SCC) of 57,583 per milliliter.

The SCC is a key indicator of milk quality and while the family doesn’t set SCC targets, they approach milk quality with the same attitude, “keep the cows comfortable, put good feed in front of them and you will get quality milk out of them.”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

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QUALITY AWARD WINNERS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23

The farm is family at heart with three generations working together to produce some of the highest quality milk in Michigan. Today, Steve and Phil, along with their nephews, Kevin and Joel, continue the legacy of their father and grandfather, calling on the wisdom they received in the face of challenges.

“

“Dad always said, ‘just know what you don’t know.’

So that’s why we have a nutritionist, we have a mechanic…”

“Dad always said, ‘just know what you don’t know.’ So that’s why we have a nutritionist, we have a mechanic…”

Steve said. “We have learned things over the years, so we can tweak things on our own, but I use, ‘know what you don’t know’ a lot.”

Steve and Phil have left their mark on the farm through transitioning to milking three times per day and building a new freestall barn and double-10 parallel parlor. The changes, though significant, still allow them to keep doing things the way their dad showed them and allow them to improve their milk quality along the way.

In the Barn “We are fortunate, when we decided to put in the parlor, it’s overkill for our size, but at the time, finances were right and we said, ‘Well why not spend the least amount of time in the parlor?”

Steve said. “Plus, it’s better for the cows because they spend less time in the holding area. The cows are in and out and get back to eating and laying down.”

The focus on cow comfort resonates throughout the entire farm. The family focuses on routinely providing clean bedding and consider that the key to their farm’s quality success.

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GROSS FARMS REGISTERED HOLSTEINS DOES THE LITTLE THINGS RIGHT IN THEIR FIELDS TOO. ALONG WITH PRACTICING NO-TILL, THEY HOUSE SEVEN WIND TURBINES AND SOIL SAMPLE REGULARLY.

“Keeping the bedding clean is the most important,” Kevin said. “Cows come into our parlor clean, so the milkers knock the sand off, prep them and they’re ready to go without spending time scrubbing manure off.”

In the parlor, Kevin trains employees following recommended best practices and reinforces the same routine for every employee. “Everybody does things the same way every time at the same speed. The same amount of dip, the same everything,” Kevin said. “The cows don’t know who’s milking them.”

Along with clean bedding and consistency in the parlor, the Gross family consistently tries to understock their barn by 10 percent. “We have 132 stalls, but we try to never milk over 130,” Steve said. “We always like to have some extra stalls so that the cows don’t have too far to walk to find somewhere to lay down.” Through

trial and error, they have found that by increasing their cow’s comfort they’ve become more efficient at producing milk and their cows are healthier because of it.

“It is all the little things added up to do everything right,” Kevin said. “It’s the milk prepping, providing clean sand, it’s not one big philosophy. It’s all the little things that build up into that.”

“

“It is all the little things added up to do everything right,” Kevin said. “It’s the milk prepping, providing clean sand, it’s not one big philosophy. It’s all the little things that build up into that.”

Along with no-till, the farm also houses seven wind turbines scattered on their property, plants cover crops on their fields when the harvest season allows and regularly takes soil samples of their fields. They focus heavily on producing the best crops possible because they believe that “good feed produces good milk.”

In the Community The family genuinely loves cows and providing milk for their community. It’s all about the relationships they have built and giving back to the people who have helped them along the way. “We have a good relationship with our feed man, our chemical guy, our harvester, our semen people, our veterinarian, our hardware people,” Steve said. “It’s like one big family.”

The Gross family values their community and it is clear that they are valued in return. “We value the back and forth with each other, learning from each other,” Phil said.

The family’s humbleness for the success they have today is admirable. For them, their success was built on the little things they do that have been passed down from previous generations. One of the many little things that the farm does right is their care for the environment, another principal passed down from Steve and Phil’s father.

In the Fields “We’ve been no tilling for over 30 years,” Steve said. “Matter of fact, when dad brought it up, we thought he was a little old fashioned, but dad was the first one to say that we better start no till.” Since they followed their father’s lead, the next generations are reaping the benefits. “Our fields are a night and day difference from what they used to be,” Kevin said. “You can definitely see the benefits now.”

From the field to the parlor, the Gross family wakes up and does the little things right. “I’m not proud of any one particular thing, it’s a product of since when grandpa was here, building towards what we are now,” Kevin said.

Steve calls themselves “basic,” which Phil defines perfectly as, “We try to do the little things right.”

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QUALITY AWARD WINNERS

MMPA Quality Award Winners

E

ach year during the local meeting season, MMPA recognizes members that produce high quality milk every day. For the 2020 fiscal year, nearly half of MMPA members earned a quality award (261 Bronze level awards, 78 Silver level awards, and 29 Gold level awards).

Members who have received a quality award for five, 10, 15, 20 or 25 consecutive years are noted in the listing with parenthesis.

Adrian Local

Barry-Eaton Local

Bronze

Gold

Hartland Farms Inc

Crandall Dairy Farm LLC

Henricks and Krieger LLC

Halbert Dairy Farm LLC

Matthew Smith

Hammond Dairy Farm LLC

N Randy & Eric Bleich

Alma Gold Dragt Farms Ephraim & Esther Martin Tjerk Okkema Wilson Centennial Farm LLC

Silver Burdock Hills Dairy LLC Endsley Dairy Farms LLC Pixley Dairy Farm LLC

Bronze Cary Dairy Farms Inc (5) Chase Crest Hill Farms LLC Dan & Lynda Walden

Silver

Ivan L Mast

Central Michigan Milk Production LLC

Jonathan G Hochstetler

Double Eagle Dairy Inc (5) Double-B Dairy Oberlin Farms LLC

Bronze

Bronze quality awards are presented to MMPA members

TLC Dairy (25)

who met both quality premium categories (10,000 or less

Bronze

J & A Koebel Farm LLC

Albern Olson

Mike & David VanWanzeele

raw bacteria and 20,000 or less PI count) and maintained a somatic cell count of 250,000 or less for nine or more months out of the previous fiscal year.

Silver quality awards are presented to those members who met the same criteria as in the bronze award category for 12 months out of the previous fiscal year.

Carey Farms LLC

Chippewa County Local

Chad Peters

Bronze

Chapin Family Farm LLC Friesen Legacy Farm LLC Gordon H Behrenwald Jeff & Larry Nielsen Joel Ensz Judge Dairy Farm Inc

Gold quality awards are presented to members who met the same criteria as in the silver award category and averaged a somatic cell count of 100,000 or less during the previous fiscal year.

Louis & Ronald Brecht Mark Wiles Marlin Martin Mervin Martin Newlyn Toews Paulen Farms Inc (10) Pine Hills Dairy LLC Ronald & Kevin Litwiller Ryan J Litwiller (5) Spring Lake Farms LLC Titus & Lois Zimmerman Vanderploeg Holsteins II LLC

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Gamble Dairy Farm LLC

Bruce A Litwiller (5)

Cory & Gary Nielsen

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Blossomland Local

Hoolsema Dairy Inc Taylor Creek Farm LLC (10)

Clare-Mt. Pleasant Local Gold Gross Farms Inc Silver Jack Evans John Koch Norman & Sarann Byler Raymond & Miriam Kuhr (5) Tara Anthon Cattle & Management LLC Bronze Clark Dairy Farm LLC Gross Dairy Farms Inc House Dairy LLC Le Var Farms LLC Michael Yoder

Leland F Lehman

Marlin & Ida Gingerich

Huron Local

Maplebranch Farms Inc

Matthew & Kimberly Deruiter (15)

Gold

Marlin R Miller

Ronald J Brinks

Oak River Dairy LLC (10)

Martin Yoder Jr

Tacoma Dairy Inc

Marvin E Eash

Starward Farm

Van Polen Farms

Silver

Maynard F Miller

Zuiderveen Farms LLC

Alvin D Bontrager

Mervin C Hochstetler

Andrew E Mast

Michael M Graber

Daniel M Martin

Milton D Bontrager

Devon Ray Yoder

Myron E Miller

Floyd O Bontrager

Neal L Borkholder

Freeman Yutzy & Levi Miller

Paul W Miller

Glen R Mast

Philip D Bontrager

Harvey & Lamar Yoder

Raymond L Miller

Jerry L Miller

Reuben I Weaver

Bronze

Rose Valley Dairy LLC

Lamar J Eash

Richard O Lambright

Krafft Farms LLC (5)

Volmering Family Dairy Inc

Marlin Hoover

Richard Thomas

Petzold Dairy Farms LLC

Zielland Farms (10)

Matthew D Miller

Ruben R Hochstetler

Thistle Dew Dairy

Nathan E Miller

Stanley Yoder Family

Weber Family Dairy LLC

Snider Farms LLP

The Graber Family

Steven J Miller

Vernon R Miller (5)

Thaddaeus Coning

Wakiana Dairy Inc

Toby E Yoder

William Nissley

Verlin J Yoder

Willis E Miller

Constantine Local Gold Gerald M Martin Larry M Hershberger

Frankenmuth Local Silver Eric J Frahm (20) Haubenstricker Dairy Farm LLC (15) K & K Kern Farms LLC Richard R Wardin

Silver William C Mazure (15)

Bronze Arnold Schuman Daniel Van Erp David J Leavine Eric & Ashley Kennedy Highland Dairy LLC Loren J Mazure

Jackson County Plus Local Bronze

Grand Rapids Local

Choate's Belly Acres

Silver

Grand Valley Farms

Byma Farms LLC

Riske Farms

Klamer Farms Inc

Zenz Farms

Deford/Clifford-Mayville Local

Bronze

Kalamazoo Local

Bronze

Fisk Farms

Keith & Jane Wood

Stoney Hill Farm Inc

David K Fisher

Evart Local

Hillman Local

David L Mast (5)

Gold

Silver

Dean Yoder

Benthem Brothers Inc

Joseph P Zbytowski

Delbert L Bontrager

Gilde Farms LLC (25)

Skudlarek Dairy Farm LLC

DeWayne E Mishler

Michael L Bosscher

Todd Hemmingson (10)

Silver

Bronze

Lansing Local

Benson Dairy LLC

Butterwerth Dairy Farm LLC

Silver

Hillside Dairy LLC (5)

Chippewa Dairy LLC

Fogle Farms

Oudman Dairy LLC

Christensen Farms

Kubiak Family Farms (10)

Yonkman Dairy

Denise M Thiem

Sonray Acres

Ervin Lee Yoder

Bronze

Godfrey Farms Inc Kevin, Karen & Travis Zbytowski

Chris, Kristina, Hans & Patricia Langmaack

Nathan & Jodie Mitchell

David Lyon

Risky Endeavor Dairy LLC

Lyon Farm LLC (5)

Vernon D Yoder

Marten Family Dairy LLC

Werth Dairy LLC

Risch Farms (5)

Willie Yoder Jr (5)

Bronze Carl Zook Daniel A Bontrager (5) Daniel H Miller David H Miller

Dorvin Shaum (5) Elmer L Schrock Ernest & Erma Wengerd Ernest L Mast Ervin D Mast Ervin J Lehman

Bowman Farm LLC

Silver Clearview Dairy Farm LLC

Bronze Melvin T Puschel (20) Vandenberg and Vandenberg Victor Puschel Wamhoff Family Dairy Farm LLC Webers Meadow LLC

Ezra L Bontrager

Bronze

Ferman J Yoder

Aris Dairy Farm LLC

Frye Family Farm LLC

Bode Valley Farm Inc

Garold D Yoder (5)

Bon-Dale Farm (10)

Harley H Lambright

Booms Dairy LLC (5)

Harley S Schrock

David L DeZeeuw

Henry J Mullett

Dick Haven Farms LLC

Indiana Logistics Inc

Dick Haven Farms LLC

Jacob W Weaver

Dodde Dale Farms LLC

James & Sarah Delagrange

Edward & Darlene Gingerich

Bronze

James L Borkholder

Firman & Ada Yoder

Donald Lindsey

Jerry D Lehman

Garlomar Farms Inc

Drakeland Farms LLC

John R Weaver

Grindstone Farms LLC

Ferris Farms

Bronze Clarinda Farms LLC

Joni Borkholder (5)

Harold, Matthew, Michael & Robert Cnossen

Herman's Holsteins LLC Jeffrey Willson

Donal Farm LLC

Joseph D Mishler

Leon Hamming

Justin P Porter

Larry & Karen Adams

Joseph E Miller (5)

Mark F Diemer

Margro Farms

White Dairy LLC

Jonathan J Yoder (5)

Ri-Val-Re Genetics LLC

Hillsdale-Litchfield Local Livingston Charter Local Silver Bon-Tek Operations LLC (5)

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QUALITY AWARD WINNERS

MMPA Quality Award Winners (continued)

Mid-Michigan Local

Frederick & Candice Inbody

Owosso Local

U.P. West Central Local

Gold

Goma Dairy #2

Silver

Bronze

Weil Dairy Farm

Dale & Wendy Fisk

Muxlow Dairy Farm

Bronze

Pirman Corner Farm Inc (5)

Silver

Timothy Mater

Braid Farms Inc

Sherwin Wilson

Andrew J Feldpausch (10)

Welter Dairy Farms LLC (10)

Cole Riverview Farms Inc (10)

Upstate Local

Goma Dairy Farms

Houska Farms Inc

MK Farms LLC

Lew-Max LLC

Joel & Samuel Brubaker Sanborn & Sons LLC Steenblik Dairy Inc Stephen Burkholder Wieber Dairy LLC

David Sovis

Mid-Thumb Local

Gold

Reed Dairy Farm LLC

Alfred & Susan Gingerich

Bronze

Ritter Farms LLC

Andrew A Brown

Vergin Farms

Hudzinski Dairy Farm

William C Platte (5)

Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority

Richard J Fettig

Saline-Ann Arbor Local

Bronze

Reid Dairy Farm LLC

Gold

Joseph & Mary Gingerich

Anson K Martin

Siegler Dairy Farm LLC

Lambarth Farms LLC

Rubingh's Dairyland LLC (15)

Baese Family Farm LLC

Susan K Stewart

Silver

Bronze

Lamb Dairy Farm

Adkinson Farm

Berlyn Acres II LLC Cook Dairy Farm

Muskegon Local

Diller Farms Dutch Meadows Dairy LLC Evergreen Dairy Farm LLC Green Meadow Farms Enterprises Green Meadow Farms Enterprises H & H Dairy LLC

Gold Dewey Farm LLC

Edward, Jane & Samantha Mamarow Horning Farms LLC (15)

Bronze

Doug & Shelly Ekkel

Breuninger Farms LLC

Riverside Dairy LLC (10)

Drakelan Farms LLC

Stanek Farm

West Michigan Local Gold Raterink Farms LLC

Silver Kuperus Dairy LLC

Slater Farms Baseline LLC

Sunrise Local

Mark Hilaski

Hershberger Farm LLC

Gold

Robert & William Gruppen

Robert T Wackernagel

Anschuetz Dairy Farm

Bronze

Slater Farms LLC

Maple Glaze Dairy LLC

Bennett Dairy Farm LLC

Stakenas Farms Inc

Arlyn J Walt

MSU Dairy Cattle Teaching & Research Center

Cedar Lane Dairy Farms

Sunglow Dairy LLC

P H Farms LLC

Silver

Rolling Acres Dairy Farm LLC

Brad & Nicole Wren

Sherman & Sherwin Moored

Double B Dairy

Timothy Baker

David M Varosi

Bronze Betty Troyer Beuschel Fruit & Dairy LLC Brian A Guikema Carson Acres LLC Donald A Beattie Holtrop Dairy LLC James E Wolter J-Max LLC (5) John & Kathryn Troyer Koppenol Dairy Farms Inc (20) Larsen Farms Mark Rottier Norris Dairy Farm Inc Oren & Irene Hershberger Orlie A Miller Slater Farms 88th LLC Slowpoke Farm LLC Stroven Farms

Fischer Dairy Farms

Sueann M Higgins (20)

Weber Dairy Farms LLC

Hogan Dairy Farms LLC

Silver

Laverne & Maribeth Zimmerman & Sons Leroy & Ella Zimmerman

Riverview Dairy LLC Simon Dairy Farm LLC Steven C Roth Stony Creek Dairy LLC Thelen Dairy Inc Tumbleweed Dairy LLC

Mid-Sanilac Local Gold Schultz Dairy LLC

Silver Cumper Dairy Farms Reba Zimmerman & Sons (5) Sharrard Farms LLC

Bronze

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Silver

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Clemens Dairy Farm Inc

Nienhuis Dairy Farm LLC Robert & Donna Pepper

Gallagher Dairy Farm Inc Nicholas Clark Ron & Lisa Diehl

Bronze Derek Brewer J & B Dairy LLC (5) Keith & Emily Martin Lavon Hoover Lemajru Dairy Farm LLC Marcus & Nora Gingerich Mark R Ramer Naaman Martin Reetz Dairy LLC

Congratulations to all Quality Award Winners _________

Building world class nutrition with you

Trusted partnerships to create tomorrow’s opportunities.

At ADM Animal Nutrition, our strength is developing proven products for today’s dairy producers. Our ADM team works side by side with you to develop individualized nutritional solutions and feeding programs that focus on efficiency and profitability for your dairy operation. Our focus is to provide high-quality, sustainable animal nutrition solutions that meet Connect your changing needs, creating trusted partnerships that with us at move us all forward to tomorrow’s opportunities. go.adm.com/dairy

milk messenger / JAN-FEB 2021

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YOUR DAIRY PROMOTION AT WORK

Wrapping Up a Successful and Socially Distant 2020 The Value of the Checkoff’s Gaming Strategy Your dairy checkoff is exploring new ways to reach the critical Gen Z consumer with an interactive promotion to tell dairy’s sustainability story through the immensely popular video game Minecraft by partnering with four extremely wellknown gaming influencers with a combined reach of more than 120 million followers. In fall 2020, they participated in virtual farm tours and then used their new dairy knowledge to create videos for their followers.

We plan to expand these efforts to a bigger initiative in 2021, with potential product innovation and integration. This pilot effort was a new interactive promotion to tell dairy’s sustainability story to this next generation.

The Pit Fitness Ranch UDIM supported some amazing athletes who competed in an ‘invite only’ CrossFit competition in Three Rivers, Michigan. The Elite Teen Throwdown featured athletes from all over the United States and Mexico.

Head Coach Brock Yost, who owns and operates The Pit Fitness Ranch, was very appreciative of the support because they know and understand the importance of refueling athletes, especially after several workouts over the course of the weekend.

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A Robust Partnership with Domino’s The United Dairy Industry of Michigan (UDIM) held two fall events with our national partner, Domino’s.

At one event, two bloggers from Detroit Moms and Lansing Moms joined us to learn how cheese gets on their pizza, from the farm to the pizza shop. They started at a Lansing Domino’s location where the staff showed the high-quality ingredients used to make the pizzas, especially the cheese. Then they visited Evergreen Dairy in St. Johns to learn how the Wardin family takes care of their cows.

The bloggers will help us share this message through photos and videos with their thousands of followers.

Sponsoring the Dairy Community to Attend Sustainability Meetings When the Dairy Sustainability Alliance Virtual Fall Meeting and the 2020 Sustainable Agriculture Summit went virtual, UDIM and the American Dairy Association of Indiana (ADAI) used it as an opportunity to invite more partners and stakeholders to participate in the event. Both organizations sponsored the registration for 11 members of the dairy community, including staff from cooperatives, MDARD and MSU. The events featured dynamic speakers who talked about practices and research being implemented from the farm through the processing channel, highlighting the work farmers have done in this area.

New Animal Ag Allies Program This year the Animal Agriculture Alliance created a new program, the Animal Ag Allies to empower farmers, ranchers and practicing veterinarians to be outspoken advocates for agriculture online and within their communities.

The program provides opportunities for networking, training and continuous development of issue expertise and communication skills. Allies will be on the front lines of responding to emerging issues and sharing positive content about animal agriculture.

As a member of the Animal Ag Alliance, UDIM sponsored nine farmers in the first two classes of the program.

“The Animal Ag Allies training program was an easy way for me to learn about promoting agriculture. For me the most valuable part was the resources they gave into the other commodities. I don't know much outside of dairy and beef cattle and so I have always avoided it. Now I have great places to send my followers if they have other questions that I don't know how to answer.”

— ASHLEY MESSING-KENNEDY, MICHIGAN DAIRY FARMER AND PARTICIPANT IN CLASS ONE

UNITED DAIRY INDUSTRY OF MICHIGAN

Scientific Advisory Panel Helps Thought Leaders Prepare for the Future Indiana leaders representing agriculture, science, academia, business and more joined together virtually to discuss the impacts of COVID and how they’ve shaped our connections to our food, planet and each other. Attendees heard from experts about strategic insights in COVID response, communicating science and trends to anticipate the future.The Race Must Go On, Virtually!

Runners were able to participate in the biggest marathons in Michigan by running them in their own neighborhoods and UDIM worked hard to support those runners. UDIM held a virtual “booth” for Henry Ford Health System Virtual Race participants and provided social media and newsletter resources to the Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon. Information was distributed to virtual runners, promoting chocolate milk as a recovery beverage, proper pre- and post-workout fueling, and a “Win Free Chocolate Milk for a Year” Sweepstakes.

Indiana Dietitians Celebrate Cheese Over 50 dietitians tuned in for an exclusive webinar on cheesemaking, nutrition and how to put together the perfect charcuterie board. Local cheeses, including Heritage Ridge Creamery pepper jack, and hand-made meats were sent to participants, along with boards and knives to show off their new skills. The dietitians represented hospitals, schools, general practices and more, which are all vital to sharing the importance of dairy in diets.

Fall Virtual Farm Tours Both United Dairy Industry of Michigan and American Dairy Association of Indiana continued with their successful farm tours for a fall series.

With school looking very different across the country this fall, the tours were available to watch on a variety of platforms. Teachers had the option to join through Zoom in their classroom while remote students could join through live streaming. Each tour is also available on the UDIM and ADAI YouTube channels and websites so teachers can continue to share the experience with their students.

One Michigan teacher commented, “I just love how informational these tours are – it seems I learn something new each time my class watches. They love seeing the cows and calves!”

In Indiana, teachers reported a 43.5% increase in feeling knowledgeable about dairy farming and reported additional increases regarding the care farmers provide for their cows (+7.9%) and taking care of the environment (+5.7%).

Indiana and Michigan Dairy Farms Featured in National Virtual Farm Tour for Dairy Buyers This spring after successfully hosting several virtual farm tours, the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy asked UDIM and ADAI to brainstorm about the process and the outcomes of these events as they were considering hosting a session for dairy buyers at companies across the food chain.

Featuring National Acclaimed Registered Dietitian and Chef Through a personal staff connection, UDIM secured a contract and featured several of Ellie Kriger’s dairy-based recipes from her new cookbook Whole In One. They were shared nationally in a Family Features recipe feature including a video, editorial spread and social media campaign.

Ellie is a leading go-to nutritionist in the media today.

In mid-October, the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy hosted 48 participants for a half-day session of dairy presentations, panels and farm tours. On the postevent survey, the farm tours scored the best, with a 4.8 out of 5 scale. Positive feedback was received from Costco, ALDI and Walmart.

“Excellent idea to have the two virtual farm tours to help me understand how dairy farmers are striving to improve care of animals, and care for soil, water and the land.” milk messenger / JAN-FEB 2021

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FREELINERS AND CLASSIFIEDS

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

freeliners FOR SALE: 550 MILK COW FARM,

Freeliners Policy

approximately 90 acres, double-8 expandable

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.

to 12, right angle boumatic parlor (new in

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

buildings. Call Dawn 989-329-1913.

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

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

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

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

2005), 400-cow barn (new in 2012), 4,000 gallon milk tank. House, shop and storage

2009 NEW HOLLAND H7450 DISCBINE, drawbar

NINE REGISTERED HOLSTEIN BREEDING BULLS - three polled. 810-724-8825.

FRESH DAIRY HEIFERS - DHIA records available.

810-724-8825.

MUELLER 2000-GAL BULK TANK with two compressors that are less than one year old.

810-724-8825.

swivel hitch, good rolls, one owner, $15,300.

989-305-2659.

drive with phase converter. $2,000 OBO.

Concrete Grooving and Texturing

Call Dan at 810-241-8999.

Call: Jeff Brisky - Owner

10 HP ROTARY VACUUM PUMP - Variable speed

DELAVAL 76 VACUUM PUMP - 7 1/2 HP, single

Toll Free: 1-800-294-1202

phase with oil reclaimer. $500 OBO. Call Dan

Cell: 1-716-353-1137

810-241-8999.

LEGENDAIRY. No bull.

Co-Products Menu

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

Non-GMO

products available

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

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

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/ JAN-FEB 2021

classifieds Classifieds Policy Cost for classifieds is $25 for the first 35 words and then $5 for each additional word. Payment due with order.

All ads must be received by the 10th of the month preceding desired month of publication. MMPA neither sponsors nor endorses products or services advertised in the Milk Messenger.

OPPERMAN GROOVING: We can fix your scabbled floors.

Diamond sawed grooves, no hammering or cracking of concrete. No hoof damage. Call Opperman Grooving Inc., Portland. 517-647-7381.

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

We also offer texturing for your previously grooved floors. 3 operators will travel Michigan and other states. No interest payment terms. Est. since 1987.

Call 1-800-365-3361.

Source E from American Farm Products New label, same great product. Source E is one of the strongest electrolytes on the market with a high energy content and electrolyte concentration for quick recovery. Source E contains a plasma specific buffer that corrects acid conditions in the blood without raising the gut pH or interfering with milk absorption.

Source E contains no sodium bicarbonate, therefore, milk and milk replacer can continue as normal.

In conjunction with Source E, use our probiotics, Standup, for an aggressive scour treatment or Maxibac, for milder cases. Maxibac can also be used as a prevention at birth.

To round out our calf program, the product Promax Calf added to the milk or milk replacer is a direct fed microbial to improve digestive efficiency and nutrient absorption.

All these products are available at MMPA Farm Supply Store. For more information check out the American Farm Products website at afpltd.net or call or text Arlin Koglin at 989-553-3370 or Brigitte Grobbel at 517-290-0987.

STOCK #

DESCRIPTION

MEMBER PRICE

8308

SOURCE E 20/4OZ.

$72.81

8309

SOURCE E 10#

$116.04

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

8310

SOURCE E 25#

$244.29

8302

STAND UP 30CC

$10.38/EA

8301

MAXIBAC CALF SYRINGE 80CC

$13.17/EA

8306

PROMAX CALF 5#

$82.45

A SURE WAY TO KEEP YOUR COWS UPRIGHT! Concrete grooving/texturing provides high quality traction in new and old concrete, fast service. Call for your below pricing 989-635-1494. BLUE RIBBON HOOF TRIMMING, LLC.

8307

PROMAX CALF 25#

$325.72

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

STRAW & DRY HAY (large & small bales). Feed Oats, Feed Barley and Corn Silage. Delivery Available.

989-723-1886 or 989-277-1414.

THREE WAYS TO ORDER MMPA MERCHANDISE FROM THE FARM SUPPLY STORE 1 Order online at www.mimilk.com/farm-supply-store 2 Call in your order: Main Line: 989-317-8370 Toll Free: 877-367-6455 Orders (Novi): 800-572-5824 then dial 2 3 Fax in your order: 989-317-8372

ALFALFA HAYLAGE (excellent & fair grades) & CORN SILAGE. 989-723-1886 or 989-277-1414.

CHEMICAL, SANITIZER AND TEAT DIP CONTACTS

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

ECOLAB

HOOF TRIMMING - 20 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE. Also doing fly control and cement grooving.

Gibson Hoof Care (Tom) 989-239-6843.

1500 4X6 CLEAN, FEED-QUALITY, ROUND STRAW BALES stored in a barn. Call 586-530-1619.

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

24-Hour Medical Emergency Hotline: 1-800-328-0026 Service Message Center: 1-800-392-3392 Service Representatives: » Pat Mitchell – 517-403-0928 - 7273 N. Rollin Hwy., Addison, MI 49220 » Jason Wolfe – 540-553-5755 - 1890 Canter Drive, Riner, VA 24149

milk messenger / JAN-FEB 2021

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MMPA STAFF

MMPA Field Staff

Novi Headquarters

Dean Letter, Newaygo, Member Services Director.................. 231-679-0337

Main Office

Steve Lehman, Ithaca, Raw Milk Compliance.............................989-330-1638

Local line..............................................................................248-474-6672 Toll free................................................................................800-572-5824

Ben Chapin, Remus, Field Services Manager........................... 989-289-0731 Christy Dinsmoore, Vassar, Supervisor....................................248-513-7920 Frank Brazeau, Oconto, WI......................................................... 906-250-0337 Lyndsay Earl, Ludington, Animal Care.......................................231-519-2455 Courtney Gordon, Mt. Pleasant...................................................248-756-2062 Laura Gucwa, Bad Axe.................................................................248-826-6294 Ashley Herriman, Herron............................................................269-245-6632 Sarah Michalek, Dewitt, Sustainability Supervisor.................248-305-0537

President and Chief Executive Officer Joe Diglio.......................................................................................ext. 202 Chief Financial Officer Josep Barenys...............................................................................ext. 240 Member and Government Relations Sheila Burkhardt...........................................................................ext. 208 Management Information Systems Andrew Caldwell...........................................................................ext. 304

Lindsay Green, East Lansing, Animal Care /Sustainability ......989-488-8159

Laboratory Supervisor Patti Huttula.................................................................................. ext. 219

Dave Brady, Grass Lake, Supervisor.........................................517-937-9061

Quality Sudeep Jain...................................................................................ext. 249

Deb Gingrich, Leroy, Animal Care/Sustainability......................248-520-3580

Rachel Brown, Charlotte............................................................. 248-826-7243 Alyssa DeWitt, Elkhart, IN...........................................................269-967-7351 Brandon Ewers, Coldwater, Sustainability.................................231-414-4539 John Lehman, Elsie, Bulk Tank Calibration................................248-444-6775 Joe Packard, Manchester, Animal Care......................................248-520-3481 Brittni Tucker, Eagle.....................................................................248-880-3785

MMPA Labs Novi (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.)

In Michigan...........................................................................800-572-5824 Toll Free............................................................................... 800-233-2405 Ovid (Daily, 6 a.m.-10 p.m.)............................................. 989-834-2515 Constantine (Daily, 7 a.m.-10 p.m.)..................................800-391-7560

Farm Supply - Mt. Pleasant Supervisor: Duane Farmer, Mt. Pleasant Main Line..............................................................................989-317-8370 Toll Free................................................................................877-367-6455 Orders (Novi)..................................................... 800-572-5824, then dial 2 Fax........................................................................................989-317-8372 Merchandise Coordinator, Energy Auditor

Katie Pierson, Mt. Pleasant................................................. 989-289-9686 Farm Supply Sales Representative

Jake Riley, Mt. Pleasant....................................................... 248-912-5070

Manufacturing Kaylan Kennel......................................................................248-880-5413 Member Services Emily Keranen...............................................................................ext. 203 Human Resources Kelly Kerrigan................................................................................ ext. 301 Credit/Insurance Cheryl Schmandt........................................................................... ext. 210 Communications Allison Stuby Miller.......................................................................ext. 296 Emily Kittendorf............................................................................ext. 234 Corporate Controller Jeannie Strain................................................................................ ext. 311 Supply Chain Therese Tierney..............................................................................ext. 217 Member Relations Jessica Welch................................................................................ext. 303

Manufacturing Plants Constantine, Michigan Dave Davis, Plant Manager...................................................269-435-2835

Ovid, Michigan Kaylan Kennel....................................................................... 989-834-2221 Middlebury Cheese Company, Middlebury, Indiana Bela Sandor, Plant Manager...................................................574-825-9511

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

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milk messenger

/ JAN-FEB 2021

Board of Directors Officers Doug Chapin, Board Chairman Tony Jandernoa Board Vice Chairman Eric Frahm, Treasurer Joe Diglio, President and CEO Josep Barenys, Asst. Board Treasurer Todd Hoppe, General Counsel Directors-At-Large Carlton Evans, Litchfield 517-398-0629 Aaron Gasper, Lowell 616-291-4092 Bruce Lewis, Jonesville 517-869-2877 Gertie van den Goor, Marlette 989-550-8453 Kris Wardin, St. Johns 989-640-9420 District Directors 1 Hank Choate Cement City 517-529-9032 2 Tim Hood Paw Paw 269-657-5771 3 Bill Stakenas Freesoil 231-425-6913 4 Corby Werth Alpena 989-464-5436 5 Doug Chapin Remus 231-349-4059 6 Tony Jandernoa Fowler 989-593-2224 7 Eric Frahm Frankenmuth 989-652-3552 8 Scott Lamb Jeddo 810-327-6135

MEMBER MOMENT

Submit your Member Moment to messenger@mimilk.com

IN THE SILENCE OF THE MORNING UNDER THE GLOWING PARLOR LIGHT A GROUP OF COWS IS GATHERING WAITING PATIENTLY IN THE LIGHT. THEY’RE TRAMPLING THE SNOW, LEAVING HOOF PRINTS EVERYWHERE AND THEIR EARLY MORNING MOOS ARE QUICKLY FROZEN IN MID-AIR. DESPITE THE WIND AND SNOW, THEY KNOW THE DOOR WILL OPEN. THEY’LL BE MILKED, THEIR CARES MET, A FARMER’S PROMISE NEVER BROKEN.

PHOTO BY: BETH RUPPRECHT, VASSAR, MI WORDS BY: EMILY KITTENDORF

milk messenger / JAN-FEB 2021

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P.O. Box 8002 Novi, MI 48376

105TH ANNUAL STATE DELEGATE MEETING THURSDAY, MARCH 25