MAY / JUNE 2021
VOL. 103
/ NO. 6
DAIRY’S ROLE IN THE SOLUTION TO FIGHT HUNGER
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COVERING COVER CROPS
MILESTONE MEMBERS milk messenger / MAY-JUNE 2021
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features
14 Covering Cover Crops
To study and share the feasibility of cover crops, MMPA has been involved in a cover crop and soil health pilot project with two key customers.
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A SPIRIT OF GIVING
On behalf of dairy farmers, the United Dairy Industry of Michigan (UDIM) stepped in during the pandemic to help meet the need for food security in communities across the state of Michigan.
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MILESTONE MEMBERS: EVIDENCE THAT MOVING FORWARD IS POSSIBLE
Get to know three long-time members of MMPA and their experiences overcoming the changes of the dairy industry over the last 35 or 50 years.
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contents
“FIFTH GENERATION FARMER” BY LEAH BOLDAY, EMMETT, MICHIGAN.
35-YEAR MMPA MEMBER, SCOTT STOUGH, PICTURED WITH HIS FAMILY.
05 EDITOR’S NOTE
25 2021 MICHIGAN DAIRY YOUTH EVENTS
06 MILK MINUTE
26 YOUR DAIRY PROMOTION AT WORK
Supporting the MMPA Team
IN MICHIGAN AND INDIANA
08 QUALITY WATCH
How is MMPA’s Cover Crop Program Going?
10 NEWS & VIEWS
29 FARM SUPPLY STORE
12 LEGISLATIVE WATCH 24 OUTSTANDING FOR A REASON
28 FREELINERS & CLASSIFIEDS
Kip Siegler and Rochelle Ions
30 STAFF 31
MEMBER MOMENT
“The industry is going to follow technology. The guys will figure out how to feed the cows better, care for them better and get more milk out of them. It’s the trend of the future.” STEVE THELEN MMPA MEMBER (PAGE 23)
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/ NO. 6
Milk Messenger (USPS # 345-320) is published bimonthly by the Michigan Milk Producers Association, 41310 Bridge Street, Novi, MI 48376-8002. Periodicals postage paid at Novi and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Milk Messenger, PO Box 8002, Novi, MI 48376-8002. President and Chief Executive Officer Joe Diglio Managing Editor Sheila Burkhardt, Senior Director of Member and Government Relations
Editor’s Note BY ALLISON STUBY MILLER
MMPA is committed to cooperative social responsibility and sustainable business practices throughout our entire supply chain. We can see this take shape in how we commit to our people, how we interact with our communities and how we conserve our natural resources. It’s not a destination, it’s a continual journey where we must be open to learning and growing.
On the Cover From a community standpoint, supporting local food banks and the patrons they serve continues to be essential. The past year has brought new challenges to us all, though some have been more disproportionately affected and food insecurity has swelled across the country. We talked with the United Dairy Industry of Michigan and the Food Bank Council of Michigan about their added efforts in the fight against hunger on page 18.
Also Inside
Editors Allison Stuby Miller, Communications Manager Emily Kittendorf, Communications Coordinator Advertising Emily Kittendorf, messenger@mimilk.com, 248-474-6672, ext. 234 Publication Designer reZüberant! Inc., Stacy Love rezudesign.com Printing Foresight Group, Stacey Trzeciak staceyt@foresightgroup.net Publication Office MMPA Milk Messenger P.O. Box 8002, Novi, MI 48376-8002 p: 248-474-6672 f: 248-474-0924 e: messenger@mimilk.com w: mimilk.com Established in 1916, MMPA is a member owned and operated dairy cooperative serving dairy farmers in Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin and Ohio.
We are also looking at learning opportunities in environmental stewardship. This issue also includes coverage of the MMPA Cover Crop Project, a component of the sustainability program on page 8 and page 14. Plus we learn from the wisdom of milestone members (page 22) and look to the next generations with an Outstanding Young Dairy Cooperator finalist (page 24) and dairy youth programming (page 25).
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As we continue down the path of social responsibility, working together and learning from one another will make it possible. Though the landscape is ever changing, our commitment to the dairy community will never waver. As we head into June, I hope you take a moment to recognize the great things about our industry and enjoy a sunny National Dairy Month!
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MILK MINUTE
Supporting the MMPA Team BY KELLY KERRIGAN, MMPA DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES
A
s a milk marketing cooperative, MMPA is involved in every step from cow to cup of the dairy supply chain. Just as your cows are indispensable, so too are the people working on your behalf. The human resources department at MMPA is tasked with finding, retaining and supporting the team involved in marketing member milk.
KELLY KERRIGAN
Over the past year, human resources took on the added challenges associated with COVID-19. As HR professionals, we are accustomed to expecting the unexpected, but the pandemic took that to another level. As all of us know, the biggest challenge initially was the unknown, then adjusting to rapidly changing executive orders, all while ensuring that we maintained a safe and healthy work environment for our employees, who never skipped a beat. We continually adjusted our procedures to stay in compliance with state and local regulations, while continuing to stay on top of daily requirements. We were very fortunate to have been able to keep operating without any shutdowns and, at times, accommodating more milk than planned. With confidence, we attribute this to the commitment of our employees. MMPA has taken an enhanced role in the health and well-being of our employees. We made modifications to our medical plans relating to COVID care, enhanced our sanitation procedures within our facilities and provided paid time off for those employees who were impacted by the virus. HR’s focus is to ensure our employees are safe, supported, and healthy, and are given the resources they need to stay that way. This spring, we shifted our efforts to helping our employees through the various stages of the vaccine roll-out. Since essential agriculture workers in Michigan became eligible in March, we have done our part to make the process easier for MMPA employees to get vaccinated. This includes coordinating vaccine appointments and making accommodations to receive the vaccine and any side effects afterwards. We are all eager to put the COVID-19 pandemic behind us, and vaccination is one way we are working to get there. Currently, the HR team is challenged with coming up with creative ways to make MMPA stand out from the millions of other businesses that are hiring, as labor shortages pervade many industries. You may see our hiring signs in the community or our ads on the radio! I am proud of the efforts of our team and am grateful for all they have taken on. As we look to the future, the MMPA employee team will continue being integral to our success and, most importantly, enables MMPA to market member milk to the greatest advantage possible.
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QUALITY WATCH
How is MMPA’s Cover Crop Project going? WE ASKED THE EXPERTS:
Sarah Michalek
Jessie Deelo
MMPA Member Representative
North America Sustainable Source Dairy Consultant, Unilever
MMPA’s customers express a lot of interest in learning about how our members are contributing to sustainability initiatives and the dairy industry’s goal of net zero emissions by 2050. We have been approached by different customers and NGOs to participate in projects that promote the adoption of soil health practices, among other best management practices. One specific project we are currently involved with looks at the implementation of cover crops and the potential positive impacts of the adoption of this practice. Through MMPA’s sustainability survey, we understand that half of our membership will utilize cover crops on a percentage of their acres given the right factors during the fall. To increase practice adoption, a couple of MMPA’s customers, including Unilever, have contributed funds to offset some costs of implementation. To learn more about the project and member farmers experiences with cover crops, tune in to the MMPA Cover Crops Project Virtual Field Day on June 15. The field day will include visits to MMPA members’ farms, and you’ll hear from them on what they’ve learned using cover crops. MMPA has open enrollment for additional members in the cover crop project. If you are interested in receiving more details, please contact me at 248-305-0537 or smichalek@mimilk.com.
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Unilever, one of the world’s largest consumer goods companies, is driven by our purpose: to make sustainability commonplace. In June 2020, we set out a new range of measures and commitments designed to improve the health of the planet by taking even more decisive action to fight climate change, protect and regenerate nature and to preserve resources for future generations. As the world’s largest ice cream producer, the importance of developing tools and programs to advance sustainable dairy production is imperative. We recognize the critical role of our key suppliers, such as MMPA, and are excited to invest in dairy producers to support soil health practices. We initiated the Cover Crops Project with ten dairy farmers in 2020 to advance soil health outcomes. We know cover crops build soil organic matter and improve nutrient cycling as well as provide benefits for crop yield, water quality, manure management and biodiversity. We also understand that these management practices add costs to the operation before benefits are realized. Unilever offers cost share and technical assistance to producers to help address that financial burden. We are proud of our partnership with MMPA. And excited to work together to support resilient, sustainable dairy farmers.
James Weber MMPA Member Four years ago, we began experimenting with cover crops, and that experimentation continues today. Like most, we started with cereal rye; it is cheap, abundant, and user friendly. Fast forward to today and we are now sowing seven species mixes that act as a cover crop and feed source. The variety of seeds available improves year over year and has produced viable options for any cropping strategy. Thus far, our most obvious benefit has been the new ability to double crop, something I never knew could be done in my area. We are able to grow our standard cash crop and sneak a forage producer on that acreage which can then be harvested in late fall or early spring. This has increased our gross income potential and allowed us to maximize asset utilization. The less obvious perk of cover crops is the soil health. We've all read and heard about how it will improve, but we are now starting to see proof in soil tests and yield performance. As a young farmer, my opinion is that cover crops and techniques contained within the scope of regenerative agriculture, present some of the greatest potential for our industry to change the current dynamic and thrive.
More information about the MMPA Cover Crop Project can be found on page 14.
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Ecocool Grain milk messenger / MAY-JUNE 2021
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NEWS & VIEWS
UPCOMING
EVENTS June 15 Cover Crops Project Virtual Field Day
MMPA producers scoring 95 percent or higher on Grade A Surveys and Federal Check Ratings TIMOTHY BAKER NORMAN & SARANN BYLER* DOUBLE EAGLE DAIRY INC MEGAN FILHART WILLIAM & ROBERT GRUPPEN CORLISS GULEMBO III, MARLYNN GULEMBO & CORLISS GULEMBO IV* HENRY R. HERSHBERGER* MARK HILASKI* TIMOTHY HOOD, CHARLES HOOD & TAMARA SPICHER* EDDIE & ALRLENE KEIM KUPERUS DAIRY LLC LARSEN FARMS M & H FAMILY FARMS LLC* NATHAN & JODIE MITCHELL SHERWIN & SHERMAN MOORED ROBERT MORLOCK, JEFFREY MORLOCK & TAMARA JONES* NIENHUIS DAIRY FARM LLC ROBERT & DONNA PEPPER RATERINK FARMS LLC RIVERSIDE DAIRY LL ROLLING ACRES DAIRY FARM LLC* JAMES SCHAENDORF* STAKENAS FARMS INC* WEBERS MEADOW LLC* DAVID J. YODER MARK YODER VERNON D. YODER *100
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U.S. Dairy Applauds USDA Work to Implement New Dairy Donation Program
T
he U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that it will soon implement the $400 million Dairy Donation Program established by Congress in December 2020. The department provided details on program participation to dairy processors and cooperatives to ensure donations of nutritious dairy products continue to make their way to Americans struggling with hunger while USDA finalizes the program.
The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) today issued the following statements applauding USDA’s work: “NMPF worked closely with Congress to enact the Dairy Donation Program (DDP) in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. This important program will help dairy farmers and the cooperatives they own to continue to do what they do best – feed people. Dairy stakeholders are eager to expand their partnership efforts with food banks and other distributors to provide a variety of nutritious dairy products to food insecure households who have faced uniquely difficult challenges throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, as hunger has risen significantly during the last year. We commend USDA for prioritizing implementation of the DDP and look forward to continue working with the Department, the food bank community and all involved to make the program a success.”
— JIM MULHERN, PRESIDENT AND CEO, NMPF “IDFA applauds USDA for advancing the Dairy Donation Program (DDP), which will facilitate the donation of fresh, nutritious dairy products to nonprofit organizations helping Americans currently struggling with hunger and nutrition issues. The U.S. dairy industry stepped up throughout the pandemic to partner with and aid non-profits, charities, and other organizations working to combat our nation’s hunger issues that were exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic. This new program will help ensure persons in need continue to receive assistance and the unique combination of essential nutrients that only dairy products can provide. IDFA appreciates the department’s work to ensure dairy donations continue during this crucial time of need in our country. We will continue to work with the department to ensure the program works efficiently for dairy processors and cooperatives and the nonprofit organizations serving our nation’s food insecure families.
— MICHAEL DYKES, D.V.M., PRESIDENT AND CEO, IDFA SOURCE: NMPF
Find a COVID-19 Vaccine Near You Everyone 16 years of age and older is now eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccination free of charge. Get a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as you can. Widespread vaccination is a critical tool to help stop the pandemic. Visit Vaccines.gov to find vaccination providers near you. SOURCE: CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL
PHOTO CREDIT: KATHERINE WEBER, VASSAR, MICHIGAN
MMPA photo contest entries due July 1 The fourth annual MMPA member photo contest will open on June 1 with submissions due before July 1. Contest applicants are encouraged to submit photos that are reflective of what encompasses our cooperative and captures a wide variety of the dairy farm lifestyle. First, second and third place will be selected based on composition, quality and character of the image, suitability and/or creativity and overall impression of the photo. For photographers not as technical and those only with phones, you are also encouraged to submit photos! People’s Choice and Staff Choice awards will be selected based on public and staff popularity. For more information and to see last year’s award-winning photos, visit www.mimilk.com/photo-contest.
Million returned to members. Patronage is the result Patronage is the result of our members’ shared of our members’ shared success and a reflection success and a reflection of the great things of the great things accomplished together. accomplished together. This year’s record breaking This year’s record breaking $105 million is going back $105 million is going back to our members in March, to our members in March, because #PartnershipPays. because #PartnershipPays.
800-444-FARM 800-444-FARM
Have you bought from the MMPA Farm Supply Store online yet? As a member and community resource, the MMPA Farm Supply Store sells a variety of products that can help your farm produce high quality milk. Started in the early 1970’s, the program was added to help member farms have a consistent and reliable source for cleaning supplies and parts. It has since grown to add many product lines and options for members to order. As an added benefit, the Farm Supply Store returns all profits back to member customers every February along with cash patronage refunds. First time online customers can use the code WELCOME to receive five percent off their order. The Farm Supply Store is also on Facebook! Follow them at @MMPAFarmSupply to be the first to know of sales, discounts and new products. Shop online at mimilk.com/farm-supply-store.
www.greenstonefcs.com www.greenstonefcs.com
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LEGISLATIVE WATCH
Senator Stabenow Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Help Farmers Who Experience Delays in Planting Due to Bad Weather
U
nited States Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich), Chairwoman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and Senator John Thune (R-S.D.), a longtime member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, introduced bipartisan legislation to ensure that farmers can plant beneficial cover crops without facing crop insurance penalties when bad weather prevents them from planting their crops for the season. “The Cover Crop Flexibility Act of 2021 was inspired by Senator Stabenow and Senator Gary Peters’s successful effort in 2019 to give flexibility to Michigan farmers after record-setting flooding and wet weather delayed planting. Currently, crop insurance penalizes farmers for planting cover crops that can be used for livestock grazing or animal feed when farmers can’t plant their crops for the season because of bad weather. The bill will permanently lift this restrictive rule and provide certainty if farmers face poor planting conditions again this spring. “Historic rainfall in 2019 caused many farmers to miss the planting season,” said Senator Stabenow.
“When extreme weather gets in the way of planting, farmers aren’t able to grow beneficial cover crops without facing a crop insurance penalty. This commonsense change permanently fixes that problem and is a win for the environment and for farmers.” Planting cover crops helps farmers get value from their land through grazing and harvesting. It also improves soil productivity and prevents weeds from overgrowing in fields. Cover crops also provide important climate and conservation benefits by storing harmful carbon pollution in the soil and reducing erosion and runoff into the Great Lakes. Because cover cropping makes farmland more resilient against flooding and drought, it has the potential to lower crop insurance claims, premiums, and taxpayer costs. The Cover Crop Flexibility Act of 2021 is supported by 37 farm and conservation organizations, including the MMPA, the Michigan Agri-Business Association, Michigan Farm Bureau, Michigan Corn Growers Association, Michigan Soybean Association, and The Nature Conservancy in Michigan.
“Unpredictable springtime weather poses risks for Michigan agriculture every year, and this bipartisan bill led by Sen. Debbie Stabenow helps ensure farmers who may have prevented planting claims can still unlock the many benefits of cover crops,” said Chuck Lippstreu, President of the Michigan Agri-Business Association. “As farmers and their trusted ag retail advisors look to cover crops for both economic and stewardship benefits, the Cover Crop Flexibility Act will provide added certainty well into the future.” “In 2019, Michigan's wet spring prevented nearly a million acres from being planted. Worse, these conditions led to shortages in hay and forages for livestock later in the season. Farmers in Michigan are resilient and frequently face weather extremes, but even they sometimes need help when severe conditions prevent them from producing a crop at all. Senator Stabenow's bill will provide farmers in Michigan and across the country with much-needed flexibility during critical weather-events like they experienced in 2019. Michigan Farm Bureau appreciates Senator Stabenow's leadership on this bipartisan legislation,” said Carl Bednarski, President of Michigan Farm Bureau. “Cover crops provide significant benefits to all of us in terms of erosion control, nutrient retention and helping to build soil health through carbon capture and increased soil organic matter,” said Madhu Anderson, Director of Government Relations for The Nature Conservancy in Michigan. “The Nature Conservancy strongly supports this legislation because we believe it will encourage more farmers to make cover crops a part of their cropping system.” SOURCE: OFFICE OF U.S. SENATOR DEBBIE STABENOW
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Dairy Farmers to Seek Emergency USDA Hearing on Class I Mover Reform
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he National Milk Producers Federation’s Board of Directors voted to request an emergency USDA hearing on a Federal Milk Marketing Order proposal to restore fairness for farmers in the Class I fluid milk price mover. The endorsement of the board, which represents dairy farmers and cooperatives nationwide, follows approval from the organization’s Executive Committee last week. The NMPF plan would ensure that farmers recover lost revenue and establish more equitable distribution of risk among dairy farmers and processors. The current mover was adopted in the 2018 farm bill and intended to be revenue neutral while facilitating increased price risk management by fluid milk bottlers. But the new Class I mover contributed to disorderly marketing conditions last year during the height of the pandemic and cost dairy farmers over $725 million in lost income. NMPF’s proposal would help recoup the lost revenue and ensure that neither farmers
”…the severe imbalances we’ve seen in the past year plainly show that a modified approach is necessary. We will urge USDA to adopt our plan to restore equity and create more orderly marketing conditions.”
nor processors are disproportionately harmed by future significant price disruptions. “As the COVID-19 experience has shown, market stresses can shift the mover in ways that affect dairy farmers much more than processors. This was not the intent of the Class I mover formula negotiated within the industry,” said Randy Mooney, the dairy farmer chairman of NMPF’s Board of Directors. “The current mover was explicitly developed to be a revenueneutral solution to the concerns of fluid milk processors about hedging their price risk, with equity among market participants a stated goal. “Dairy farmers were pleased with the previous method of determining Class I prices and had no need to change it, but we tried to accommodate the concerns of fluid processors for better risk management. Unfortunately, the severe imbalances we’ve seen in the past year plainly show that a modified approach is necessary. We will urge USDA to adopt our plan to restore equity and create more orderly marketing conditions,” Mooney said. While the current Class I mover was designed to improve the ability of fluid milk handlers to hedge milk prices using the futures market, it was also expected to be revenue-neutral compared to the formula it replaced. But that has not been the case. The significant gaps between Class III and IV prices that developed during the pandemic exposed dairy farmers to losses that were not experienced by processors, showing the need for a formula that better accounts for disorderly market condition.
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 Josh Gamble, New Carlisle, IN.......574-360-7828 Richard Thomas, Middlebury, IN....574-202-5198
DISTRICT 3 Gary Nelsen, Grant........................231-834-7610 Bill Gruppen, Zeeland...................616-520-5143 Burke Larsen, Scottville................231-425-8988 Jonathon Acker, Sand Lake............616-648-7037 Arlyn Walt, Coopersville................616-837-8247
DISTRICT 4 Matt Noffze, Hillman.....................989-255-2184 Marvin Rubingh, Ellsworth...........425-533-8106 Ron Lucas, Posen..........................989-379-4694 Dave Folkersma, Rudyard..............906-630-1957 Paul Ponik, Posen..........................989-464-5924
DISTRICT 5 Robert Lee, Marion.......................231-743-6794 John Black, Howard City................231-846-7252 Jack Jeppesen, Stanton.................989-330-1905 Bruce Benthem, McBain................231-920-1615 Mark Bontekoe, Marion.................231-510-0764
DISTRICT 6 David Reed, Owosso......................989-274-8147 Mike Halfman, St. Johns................989-640-1962 Steve Thelen, Fowler.....................989-640-1075 Ken Wieber, Fowler.......................989-292-1187 Renee McCauley, Lowell................616-283-6411
DISTRICT 7 John Bennett, Prescott..................989-345-4264 Rodney Fowler, Chesaning............989-302-2299 Tracy House, Mt. Pleasant.............989-621-6610 Philip Gross, Weidman..................989-289-0670 Jason Elenbaum, Mayville.............989-274-1974
DISTRICT 8 Darwin Sneller, Sebewaing...........989-977-3718 Bill Blumerich, Berlin....................810-706-2955 Mike Noll, Croswell.......................810-404-4071 Jeremy Sharrard, Peck...................810-404-5076 Bryan Schulte, Ruth......................989-551-8200
SOURCE: NMPF
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COVER CROP PROJECT
MMPA PARTNERS WITH CUSTOMERS ON
COVER CROP & SOIL HEALTH PROJECT BY ALLISON STUBY MILLER
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Covering Cover Crops
T
he sustainability landscape across the globe, in the U.S. and even
here at home continues to evolve. For agriculture, there is increased focus on a wide variety of practices that conserve and protect our land, water and soil. One sustainability tactic that is gaining traction in the agriculture industry is the use of cover crops, or crops planted to cover the soil to conserve resources. To study and share the feasibility of cover crops, MMPA has been involved in a cover crop and soil health pilot project with two key customers: Unilever and Barry-Callebaut. The two international dairy companies approached MMPA to form a collaboration focused on exploring the economic and environmental benefits of cover crops with MMPA members. Jessie Deelo, North America sustainable dairy consultant, has been working with MMPA on the cover crop pilot project on behalf of Unilever. “As the world’s largest ice cream producer, the importance of developing tools and programs to advance sustainable dairy production is imperative” Deelo said. “We recognize the critical role of our key suppliers, such as MMPA, and are excited to invest directly in dairy producers to support soil health practices.” A select group of MMPA members are participating in the sponsored program to further define the benefits of cover crops on Great Lakes region dairies and share these experiences with other fellow members.
Recognizing the interest among customers on sustainable practices, Brent Wilson from Wilson Centennial Farm in Carson City, Michigan, was part of the initial cover crop pilot project. “We want to assure the customer, and ultimately the consumer, that what they are getting is a top-quality product raised in a sustainable way with best management practices,” Wilson said. The original farms enrolled in the pilot project agreed to a three-year commitment and completed the first planting in fall of 2020. Wilson said their farm decided to participate because they are interested in sustainable agriculture and were willing to trying out cover crops. In a conversation with MSU Extension Educator Paul Gross, Wilson acknowledged the results for his farm have been positive so far, with yields trending upward.
“
“You’re holding nutrients, holding water and your yields are trending up. That’s the trifecta.” “You’re holding nutrients, holding water and your yields are trending up. That’s the trifecta,” Gross said. “I call that sustainability,” Wilson replied. Another program participant—Rod Fowler from Fowler Dairy in Chesaning, Michigan—is no stranger to cover crops. His farm has planted cover crops, primarily rye, for over a decade. Fowler’s dad decided to try cover crops after attending an MSU Extension meeting several years ago. “We tried it small and just added. Now any low residue crop gets a cover crop in the fall.”
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COVER CROP PROGRAM
THE COVER CROP VIRTUAL FIELD DAY ON JUNE 15 WILL INCLUDE RECORDED FARM VISITS WITH MSU EXTENSION EDUCATOR PAUL GROSS (RIGHT) AND MMPA MEMBERS INCLUDING ROD FOWLER (LEFT).
Speaking with Gross, Fowler remarked on the added value from planting cover crops over the years, in crop yields, water retention and overall soil health. Gross was able to immediately recognize the health of the soil and root systems in the field after digging out a small chunk of the earth.
The program involves monitoring soil health metrics with support from the Corn Marketing Program of Michigan and will ultimately generate a report of all program metrics regarding soil health, adoption of the cover crop practice in acres and farms and associated conservation practices.
“Look at the aggregates that are starting to build around these roots,” Gross said. “It’s always pretty impressive to see a live root and those rhizosphere effects. This is just a contribution that covers have to your soil. Put a little manure on it and it’s putting these microbes on steroids and just pumping carbon into the soil.”
A few months into the pilot, the project is gearing up for a field day—led by MSU Extension Educators Gross and
Doug Chapin, MMPA board chairman and owner of Chapin Family Farms in Remus, Michigan, also took part in the cover crop pilot. Chapin’s primary interest was monitoring soil health and learning “if keeping these fields green can help with our phosphorus levels and keeping that nutrient more available to the next crop,” he said.
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“It’s always pretty impressive to see a live root and those rhizosphere effects. This is just a contribution that covers have to your soil. Put a little manure on it and it’s putting these microbes on steroids and just pumping carbon into the soil.”
Dean Baas—to share in progress results and more information about cover crops with the MMPA membership. The virtual event will include recorded farm visits with six MMPA members, including Wilson, Fowler and Chapin. As more farmers and dairy processors show interest in sustainable practices, education and collaboration will be key to helping study and potentially adopt new practices like cover crops. “All practices have to be economically viable. I am hoping this study will show that these practices can be viable,” Chapin said. “I hope this project shows other members how to try it and see how it fits their operation. We will all learn from each other on this.” THE MMPA COVER CROP PROJECT VIRTUAL FIELD DAY WILL TAKE PLACE ON JUNE 15 FROM 10 TO 11:30 A.M. FOR MORE INFORMATION, GO TO WWW.MIMILK.COM/MEMBERSHIP/ONFARM-PARTNERSHIP/COVER-CROPS.
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THE SPIRIT OF GIVING
DAIRY’S ROLE IN THE SOLUTION TO FIGHT HUNGER
BY EMILY KITTENDORF
The United Dairy Industry of Michigan carries the dairy community’s spirit of giving to secure dairy’s role in the solution to end hunger.
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THE SPIRIT OF GIVING
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he dairy community never thinks twice about helping a neighbor in need. At a local level, MMPA members regularly show up to support their community at fundraising dinners, charity events
and pledge campaigns. While many of these events may have been cancelled or postponed during the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of people in need has continued to increase.
According to Feeding America, 42 million people may face hunger because of COVID-19, causing a 55 percent increase in the number of people seeking help from food banks. On behalf of dairy farmers, the United Dairy Industry of Michigan (UDIM) stepped in during the pandemic to help meet the need for food security in communities all across the state of Michigan. “Food security is fluid and people use food banks for a variety of reasons,” Cortney Freeland, Director, Youth Wellness Programs at UDIM said. “Our goal is to keep milk as part of a necessary food for everyone, no matter their economic status.”
Keeping Milk Necessary to Everyone In response to the increased need, UDIM expanded the programs that they had in place, along with developing new ones, to be reactive to the situation at hand. They supplemented the efforts of individual dairy farmers helping to ensure that no one goes hungry in Michigan. “Our endeavors include raising awareness with consumers through retail milk drives and outreach initiatives, supporting our food bank partners building infrastructure to store and transport dairy and securing access to dairy in the food bank system,” Freeland said. “The support varies
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across our food bank partners based on their individual and unique needs for serving their client base.” In a time of need, food banks were turning to UDIM for help servicing the growing number of people in need of nutritious foods like dairy. As members of the dairy community know, storing milk brings unique challenges with the limited shelf life and need for cold storage that were limiting food banks in the amount of dairy they could provide. In response to food banks’ needs and during a time of an oversupply of milk due to the closing of restaurants, UDIM stepped up and developed a cooler grant program, benefitting farmers and communities alike. “Launched in response to requests from our dairy farmers’ communities about the increased need to provide food, including dairy, to their communities as COVID-19 shut down the economy, UDIM implemented two cooler grant programs in 2020,” Freeland said. “We were able to distribute 36 coolers as part of these cooler grant programs.”
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“Our endeavors include raising awareness with consumers through retail milk drives and outreach initiatives, supporting our food bank partners building infrastructure to store and transport dairy and securing access to dairy in the food bank system.”
The 36 coolers sit in food pantries throughout the state of Michigan and continue to service communities today. The impact is noticeable and the food pantries have been incredibly grateful. “With the donation of this cooler, we can store more milk and pass it out to the families and individuals we serve,” a cooler grant recipient said. “Before receiving this donation, we did not have proper storage to keep milk and cheese on hand to pass out when a family requested it. We now have dairy on hand for anyone who asks for it.” MMPA member Kip Siegler was one of many farmers who took advantage of the cooler grant program, helping strengthen his community’s food bank infrastructure for providing milk to his neighbors in need. “Giving back to our community and people in need has always been important to us at Siegler Dairy Farm,” Siegler said. “We were able to get our local food bank a new milk cooler and they couldn’t have been more happy.”
MMPA MEMBER KIP SIEGLER (R) HELPED SECURE A MILK COOLER FOR HIS LOCAL FOOD BANK, USING A UDIM GRANT.
Keeping Milk a Part of Students’ Nutrition Along with the cooler grant program, UDIM paid careful attention to the pivot schools made from providing dairy during lunch time while in person in school, to strictly virtual schooling. They relied on relationships with school nutrition staff to ensure that dairy continued to be a crucial piece of students’ nutrition.
MMPA and FBCM Hunger Initiatives: While UDIM was helping secure milk and dairy for food banks while strengthening their infrastructure, the Food Bank Council of Michigan (FBCM) was overwhelmed by the growing number of people who were going hungry due to COVID-19 related hardships. “Over the last year, Michigan’s food banks distributed over 40 percent more food than a typical year to help meet the needs of our communities,” Phil Knight, Executive Director at FBCM said. “We have worked with many organizations to supplement the food our partner food banks have distributed. MMPA continues to play a key role in ensuring the people in our communities have access to fresh milk.”
UDIM'S EFFORTS RECENTLY INCLUDED SUPPLYING GLEANERS COMMUNITY FOOD BANK WITH A MILK TRUCK, SUPPORTED BY MICHIGAN’S DAIRY FARMERS.
“When schools closed due to COVID-19, school nutrition staff made sure that students could still access the meals they needed,” Freeland said. “School meals are a nutrition lifeline to many children and families, easing the financial strain and uncertainty by providing a comforting source of consistency for students.” UDIM recognized the school nutrition staff who worked tirelessly through the pandemic after being declared essential along with others in agriculture and the food industry. In recognition and celebration of the work that food service heroes do, UDIM launched the MI Food Heroes program, lifting up individuals crucial to ensuring that Michigan youth receive the nutrients they need, including those found in dairy. “One in four children and one in six adults are experiencing food insecurity and those numbers only look more grim amid the current crisis,” Freeland said.
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“The need for food among our most vulnerable populations is not going away and the impacts of the pandemic will last for years to come.” “The need for food among our most vulnerable populations is not going away and the impacts of the pandemic will last for years to come.” In 2021, as we continue to battle the effects of COVID-19 nearly a year and a half later, an estimated 42 million people, including 13 million children are at risk of hunger, according to Feeding America. UDIM continues to support the dairy community’s spirit of giving alongside farmers, schools, cooperatives, processors, food banks and others to support our neighbors impacted by hunger.
Milk remains one of the most requested items at food pantries. In 2020, FBCM’s seven member food banks distributed over 730,000 gallons of fresh milk and one million pounds of cheese. Many of these distributions were made possible by the work of legislators developing programs and securing funding to allow even more dairy products to end up in the fridges of those who needed it most. “The USDA Farmers to Families Food Boxes was introduced a year ago and Michigan’s food bank network distributed over 50 million pounds of food through this USDA program,” Knight said. “The CARES Act allowed us to purchase $19 million worth of food, of which $3 million was dedicated to purchasing Michigan dairy.”
Some of the funding that FBCM received was used to purchase more than 80,000 pounds of Heritage Ridge Creamery cheese to distribute to food insecure families. In conjunction with Kroger’s Michigan Dairy plant, MMPA also donated over 85,000 gallons of milk to the FBCM and donated butter and Heritage Ridge Creamery cheese to local food banks in Michigan and Indiana.
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MILESTONE MEMBERS
EVIDENCE THAT MOVING FORWARD IS POSSIBLE
A
s long-time members of MMPA, 35- and 50-year members’ experiences overcoming the
changes in markets, regulations and leadership within the industry over the
Ken Nobis Hometown: St. Johns, Michigan Contract Date: June 1971 Generations on the Farm: 3 Milking Herd: 1,100
past many years serve as evidence that
How was your farm started?
moving forward is possible.
It goes back to the early 1900s. Both sides of my family are originally from Illinois and my paternal grandfather rode a train to Michigan. He started out as a share cropper. My dad was the oldest of the three sons they had on the farm. In the mid-40s they formed a partnership and farmed together until my grandfather passed away in 1956. The partnership broke up after the youngest brother wanted out, but my dad stayed on the dairy farm and ended up beginning this farm with 334 acres.
The knowledge and wisdom that they share within their community ensures the success of the dairy industry and MMPA for many years to come. Our cooperative wouldn’t be the same today without their presence and leadership. Thank you, 35and 50-year members for your dedication and service to MMPA.
What’s the biggest difference in the industry since you signed your contract? There’s a lot of differences. The market is hugely different than back when I started. The only time you exported was when you had milk you wanted to dump. Today, if we can’t grow exports then the industry is stagnant in terms of milk production.
What’s the best change you’ve seen in the industry since you signed your contract? Environmentally we have made tremendous strides. It’s not because we purposefully did things wrong, it’s that we didn’t know any better and now that we do know better, people are doing a much better job protecting the environment.
What words of wisdom would you like to share with fellow members? If you like what you’re doing, stick with it. I think there are better times ahead. Build your future with an open mind. Not all the rules and regulations that are talked about are necessarily bad and look at things from both sides of an issue.
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35-Year Members:
50-Year Members:
Edward Adamic
Gordon Behrenwald
Lori Laing
Frederic Halbert
Paul Ponik
Ken Nobis
Scott Stough
Bernard Baker
Steven Thelen
Donald Bever
mimilk.com
Neil Weidmayer
Scott Stough
Steve Thelen
Hometown: Posen, Michigan Contract Date: January 1986 Generations on the Farm: 4 Milking Herd Size: 80-90
Hometown: Fowler, Michigan Contract Date: January 1986 Generations on the Farm: 4 Milking Herd: 1,600
How was your farm started?
How has your farm changed or evolved through the years?
My great grandpa had a farm a mile down the road. They had four kids. Two ended up going to college and one went in the army and my grandpa stayed home to help with the farm. In return, my great grandpa helped him start this farm. My dad was the only child, so even though it was a small farm, my dad had his own car to drive to high school and there was only two in the whole high school at the time.
It’s grown. The milk per cow is going up, their ability to produce milk and the on-farm technology has changed. Whether it’s planting corn, harvesting crops or milking crops, everything is more tuned in and finessed.
What do you enjoy most about being a dairy farmer?
What’s the biggest difference in the industry since you signed your contract?
My first thought is cereal and ice cream. I don’t look at it as a job, it’s just life. I just take care of the cows and they take care of me.
What do you enjoy most about being a dairy farmer? Working outdoors and growing crops to feed your cows! It’s just a big circle the thing keeps rolling and is self-sustained.
How has MMPA helped your farm succeed?
Scope of the operations, the industry has really grown. The amount of land people work, the amount of cows people milk, everything has grown substantially. The style of milking parlors has also changed and technology on farms is completely different.
It helps with field staff come and give us pointers. They keep us on our toes and help us be prepared for the inspector.
What’s the best change you’ve seen in the industry since you signed your contract?
What’s made you remain an MMPA member for so long?
Cow comfort. The quality of feeds that we can put up, the nutrition we can feed the cows, the sand stalls the cows are in, the parlor, everything is better for the cow.
I’m not much of a complainer. I don’t know the price of gas. I don’t know the price of milk. I just do my job. The people down there at MMPA say something is good and I say that’s fine with me!
What words of wisdom would you like to share with fellow members? I care about the milk prices, but I don’t let them upset me. Be ready to adapt. Hang in there. Go big or go home.
Where do you think the future of the industry is heading? The industry is going to follow technology. The guys will figure out how to feed the cows better, care for them better and get more milk out of them. It’s the trend of the future.
How has MMPA helped your farm succeed? MMPA always has a reliable place for our milk and over the years they have been consistent with market shares, how they market their milk and giving us return on our investments. milk messenger / MAY-JUNE 2021
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OYDC FINALISTS
ROCHELLE IONS & KIP
SIEGLER A YouTube star that passed the 2.7 million views milestone and proud veteran of the US Army, Kip Siegler is a hardworking man. Rochelle, his fiancé, is the mastermind
Hometown: Imlay City, MI Local: Mid-Thumb District: 8
behind Kip’s online merchandise store, the one you should check out if you haven’t already.
Q&A: Q: What’s your favorite piece of machinery you own? Probably our skid steers. We use them a lot and depend on them. Q: You have to leave halfway through chores. Who finishes? One of my brothers. Either Mark or Greg. Q: What’s the key to producing quality milk? Putting up quality feed and having clean freestalls for when they lay down. Q: What’s your favorite chore? Feeding the cows. I like watching them eat and seeing the excitement they have. Q: Describe your farm management style in three words. Inspirational. Accountable. Team. Q: How can someone easily improve their milk quality? Pre-stripping cows before milking does them wonders. Q: What’s your dream farm? It’s something close to what I have. All I’d want is a grain set up for our extra crops. 24
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ON THE FARM Visit Siegler Dairy Farm and you’ll find three brothers working together in an 8-stall switch parlor, trying not “to get too fancy” and only trying to continue working well together because, “above all, that’s the key.” milk messenger / MAY-JUNE 2021
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MICHIGAN DAIRY YOUTH EVENTS
DAIRY YOUTH EVENTS 2021 Michigan Dairy Youth events are open to all Michigan youth. Information regarding each event including rules, age eligibility, entry forms, etc. can be found at the link below. Additional activities can also be found on the website.
Dairy Quiz Bowl Contest Wednesday, July 14 at 9:30 a.m. AgroLiquid Research Station, 5605 Findlay Rd., St. Johns, MI 48879 Three divisions: Novice, Junior and Senior Entry forms due June 1. Dairy quiz bowl is a fast-paced buzzer game where youth answer a wide range of dairy related questions.
Dairy Cattle Youth Show
Current CDC and Michigan COVID-19
Monday, July 19 Kent County Fairgrounds 225 S. Hudson Street, Lowell, MI 49331
health guidelines will be followed at
Youth are evaluated on their heifer or cow, how well they work with them and their knowledge about their
all dairy youth events.
specific animal.
Dairy Management Contest Saturday, July 31 BRB Seed Service 5759 S Summerton Rd., Shepherd, MI, MI 48883 Three Divisions: Novice under 11, Junior 12-14, and Senior 15-19. The Dairy Management Contest tests the general dairy knowledge of participants who will rotate through a series of stations on a a variety of dairy management topics.
Dairy Cattle Judging Contest Tuesday, July 20 Kent County Fairgrounds, Lowell, MI Dairy cattle judging contest exercises critical thinking skills as youth evaluate a class of four animals and
http://bit.ly/MIDairyYouth2021
rank them from top to bottom. They then deliver a set of spoken reasons to a judge.
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YOUR DAIRY PROMOTION AT WORK
Your Dairy Checkoff at Work CRISIS CONTENT CORNER Activist groups are using any tactic they can think up to target farmers. Recently we’ve learned activist members are texting farmers and farm employees. If this happens to you, please contact your checkoff team, our contact information is below. Here are some tips: • Remind employees of the farm’s animal care standards and the trainings they participated in to ensure proper animal handling. Periodically review animal handling practices, with everyone signing documents that the training took place. • Be extra vigilant about who is on the farm and driving around the farm, watching for slower vehicles. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, flag for local authorities. • Talk with employees about anti-ag groups, sharing that they do things like trespass and put lives in danger with some of the work they do. Ask your employees to help keep the animals and other employees safe from any harm that could happen by people not trained to work with large animals. • Have farm employees watch the “I Care” video from the FARM program. Let us know if you need the passcode. • If you receive text messages from anti-ag groups, you may also receive attention if you are active on social media. Contact us and we can help you manage social media activism. • Review farm security basics. As members of the Animal Ag Alliance both ADAI and UDIM have access to resources and flyers to help keep farm security top of mind.
For more information, please contact your checkoff team: MICHIGAN Jolene Griffin jolene@milkmeansmore.org, 224-567-1894 INDIAN Allie Rieth - rieth@winnersdrinkmilk.com, 317-443-2296
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NATIONAL UPDATES Exports U.S. dairy exports posted the second highest January in volume on record and third highest January in value ($505 million), despite shipping delays and logistics headaches. Sstrong reasons for optimism remain regarding U.S. exports into the second and third quarter of 2021. Powerful New Ways to Talk About Milk Why did we go from milk providing 9 essential nutrients to milk providing 13 essential nutrients? Rest assured, milk is still milk. What’s inside is what’s always been inside. We just have more data available that shows there are even more nutrients important to wellness in every serving of milk. And, it is good news! ADAI UPDATES May Traditions Come Alive There's nothing like the Month of May in Indiana, and dairy farmer Jill Houin of Homestead Dairy shared her Indianapolis 500 history and excitement with students for the final virtual farm tour of the year. Named the “Coolest Trophy in Sports” by ESPN, the drink of milk at the end of the race shines an international spotlight on dairy farmers each year. Jill is the most recent Milk Person, charged each year with handing the iconic bottle of milk to the winning driver.
UNITED DAIRY INDUSTRY OF MICHIGAN
Football on the Farm ADAI HOSTED COLTS PLACEKICKER RODRIGO BLANKENSHIP ON A VIRTUAL DAIRY FARM TOUR WITH DAIRY FARMER KERRY ESTES IN FOUNTAINTOWN, INDIANA. AFTER THE TOUR CONCLUDED, RODRIGO STAYED ONLINE TO SEE KERRY'S SON KICKING A FOOTBALL— EVEN IMITATING RODRIGO'S BELOVED KICK ROUTINE. IF YOU NEED A BREAK FROM YOUR DAY, CHECK IT OUT: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=QCJISLNMBUW.
Milk Cooler Grants— one year later In April 2020, UDIM granted 19 milk coolers to pantries nominated by dairy farm families. Nearly a year later, we reached out to grant recipients to glean some feedback about their programs and how the coolers were helping them to reach their dairy distribution goals. The food pantries had overwhelmingly positive feedback. One hundred percent of respondents said the milk cooler grant has allowed them to increase the amount of dairy they distribute to their clients. Estimated Combined Reach:
Dairy Farmer Spokesperson Network training Nationally-recognized trainer Joan Horbiak worked with Indiana dairy farmers, co-operative members, state agriculture staff, and other dairy community leaders for a day-long intensive media training. Attendees practiced speaking with consumers and telling their dairy story in a way that connects in person and online. Graduates of the course become part of a network used to fill media requests and host tours across the state for important thought leaders.
UDIM UPDATES
• Serve over 6,000 people per month.
Record breaking Busch’s Milk Drive
• Open an average of 9 days per month to serve their community.
College of Health Partnership As part of ongoing work to engage with thought leaders in the healthcare setting, ADAI is hosting a 3-part webinar series with Ball State University, College of Health. Each session will be developed to bring awareness to current and future healthcare professionals as well as community leaders about dairy- not just as a source of nutritious food for a growing population, but as an answer to environmental concerns through sustainable farming practices.
What in the world is a WEBBIE?
This spring Busch’s Fresh Markets in Southeast Michigan hosted their Spring 2021 Milk Drive and it was a record breaker! Local teams and organizations supported stores via social media encouraging their communities to donate. 45,650 gallons of milk were donated by consumers to local food banks over the two-week drive. This is a 5,000-gallon increase over the fall 2020 milk drive.
Webbies, or educational videos, break down complex nutrition information into 5-minute videos.
• Distribute over 700 gallons of milk monthly, in addition to cheese, yogurt and butter.
100% of respondents said the UDIM milk cooler grant has allowed them to increase the amount of dairy they distribute to their clients.
UDIM’s first webbie, Leucine for Maximizing Performance, features longtime NDC ambassador and nationally recognized sports dietitian, Leslie Bonci, to educate health professionals on leucine, an important amino acid found in milk. milk messenger / MAY-JUNE 2021
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FREELINERS AND CLASSIFIEDS
TO SUBMIT FREELINERS AND CLASSIFIED ADS, CONTACT MMPA VIA EMAIL AT MESSENGER@MIMILK.COM OR VISIT MIMILK.COM/FREELINER-CLASSIFIED.
freeliners
FOR SALE: Breeding bulls. Call 810-724-8825.
Freeliners Policy
FOR SALE: Cube cooler & Cal-Restore tank.
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 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.
Call 810-724-8825. FOR SALE: Holstein- Fleckvieh cross breeding bulls. 5 available. Call 989-560-7444. FOR SALE: 550 MILK COW FARM, 150 acres, double-8 expandable to 12, right angle boumatic parlor (new in 2005), 400-cow barn (new in 2012), 4,000-gallon milk tank. House, shop and storage buildings. Call Dawn at 989-329-1913. 2009 NEW HOLLAND H7450 DISCBINE, drawbar swivel hitch, good rolls, one owner, $15,300.
Concrete Grooving and Texturing Call: Jeff Brisky - Owner Toll Free: 1-800-294-1202 Cell: 1-716-353-1137
Call 989-305-2659. DELAVAL 78 VACUUM PUMP - 7 1/2 HP, single phase with oil reclaimer. $300. Call Dan at 810-241-8999. 2019 SV280 CASE SKID STEER with a cab, HVAC, 500 hours, EH controls, high flow package, heavy duty rear door, new tires, four-year inclusive warranty. $39,000 or $607 monthly lease payment. Call 989-493-1663.
LELY A3 NEXT ROBOT - $55,000. Chisel Plow 9 shanks $4,000. Milk Compressors 5 horse 2012 models 1,000 each. Call 989-313-7323. SPRINGING DAIRY HEIFERS – DHIA records available. Call 810-724-8825. WEAVER DOUBLE 8 HERRINGBONE STAINLESS STEEL STALLS - Like new condition, $3,000. Call Dan at 810-241-8999. WANTED: USED SAND/SAW DUST BEDDING TOOL, skidloader ready. Call 574-202-0288. HIGH MOISTURE CORN RUN THROUGH ROLLER MILL. 7000 bu. 20% moisture. $160/ton. Ovid area. Call 989-277-7741.
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.
WANTED: 100-gallon bulk milk cooler. Call 765-455-8664. BARN WHITE WASHING AND CLEANING WITH HIGH PRESSURE AIR: Serving all Michigan and Indiana. Miller Spray Service, Inc. 574-825-9776.
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
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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
Contact merchandisers at ZFS, Inc: MI/IN/OH: 866.888.7082 WI: 800-523-6760 www.zfsinc.com/divisions/ingredients
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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.
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.
FOR SALE: NEW & USED MILK TANKS. We stock all sizes, makes, models. Special prices to co-op members, corporate & private farms. Contact us anytime day or night. Special on 2000 gal. Muellers for $13,900 & up. 2700 & 4000 gal. Muellers call for quote. 800-558-0112. STRAW & DRY HAY (large & small bales). Feed Oats, Feed Barley and Corn Silage. Delivery Available. Call 989-723-1886 or 989-277-1414. ALFALFA HAYLAGE (excellent & fair grades) & CORN SILAGE. Call 989-723-1886 or 989-277-1414. NEW KATOLIGHT PTO GENERATOR, 60 KW, keep everyone warm and producing if there is a power outage. Call Brent at 248-770-5122. HOOF TRIMMING - 20 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE. Also doing fly control and cement grooving. Gibson Hoof Care (Tom) 989-239-6843. SEED CORN - "Minnesota 13" Open Pollinated 85 Day Yellow Field Corn Seed. High Protein, High Yield, High Fat, Fast Drydown. Great Digestibility! 80,000 graded seeds $100.00 JanksSeeds.com 989-284-5052
Fly Control As the temperatures increase, so do the flies. The MMPA Farm Supply Store stocks two products members can purchase to use as tools in their fly management program: QuikStrike and Prozap LD-44Z.
Prozap LD-44Z MMPA Farm Supply Store stocks Prozap LD-44Z farm insect fogger. The active ingredients in Prozap LD-44Z, Pyrethrins and Piperonyl Butoxide, repel and kill a host of insects. Prozap LD-44Z contains no CFC’s and may be used in milkrooms and livestock housing areas, if used according to label directions. Prozap LD-44Z is available in a 20-oz. aerosol can. STOCK #: 5501 PRICE: $13.52/CAN
QuikStrike QuikStrike strips are a ready to use, self-contained product designed to be placed in fly foraging areas. The active ingredient, Nithiazine, kills flies seconds after they feed on Quikstrike. The flies are attracted to the sugar base matrix and a strong fly pheromone attractant. QuikStrike is effective only after flies ingest the active ingredient Nithiazine. Therefore, it needs to be placed in areas where flies actively feed. The best placement is 2-4 ft. above ground level in an area protected from children, animals, direct sunlight, wind and rain. QuikStrike strips are effective for six to eight weeks and are helpful in controlling flies in calf raising areas, milking barns and feed storages. QuikStrike is available in a box containing two strips per package. STOCK#: 5503 PRICE: $16.86/PKG
THREE WAYS TO ORDER MMPA MERCHANDISE FROM THE FARM SUPPLY STORE 1 Order online at www.mimilk.com/farm-supply-store 2 Call in your order: Main Line: 989-317-8370 Toll Free: 877-367-6455 Orders (Novi): 800-572-5824 then dial 2 3 Fax in your order: 989-317-8372
CHEMICAL, SANITIZER AND TEAT DIP CONTACTS These are SERVICE personnel only. Order your supplies through your hauler.
PTO and Automatic Start Generators 1-800-248-8070 M-40 South Hamilton, MI 49419 www.hamiltondist.com
ECOLAB 24-Hour Medical Emergency Hotline: 1-800-328-0026 Service Message Center: 1-800-392-3392 Service Representatives: » Pat Mitchell – 517-403-0928 - 7273 N. Rollin Hwy., Addison, MI 49220 » Jason Wolfe – 540-553-5755 - 1890 Canter Drive, Riner, VA 24149
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MMPA STAFF
MMPA Field Staff
Novi Headquarters
Dean Letter, Newaygo, Member Services Director.................. 231-679-0337
Main Office Local line..............................................................................248-474-6672 Toll free................................................................................800-572-5824
Steve Lehman, Ithaca, Raw Milk Compliance.............................989-330-1638 Ben Chapin, Remus, Field Services Manager........................... 989-289-0731 Lindsay Green, East Lansing, Animal Care /Sustainability ......989-488-8159
President and Chief Executive Officer Joe Diglio.......................................................................................ext. 202
Christy Dinsmoore, Vassar, Supervisor....................................248-513-7920 Frank Brazeau, Oconto, WI......................................................... 906-250-0337
Member and Government Relations Sheila Burkhardt...........................................................................ext. 208
Lyndsay Earl, Ludington, Animal Care.......................................231-519-2455
Operations
Deb Gingrich, Leroy, Animal Care/Sustainability......................248-520-3580
Darren Standorf..................................................................... 248-321-3656
Courtney Gordon, Mt. Pleasant...................................................248-756-2062
Management Information Systems Andrew Caldwell...........................................................................ext. 304
Laura Gucwa, Bad Axe.................................................................248-826-6294 Ashley Herriman, Herron............................................................269-245-6632 Sarah Michalek, Dewitt, Sustainability Supervisor.................248-305-0537 Dave Brady, Grass Lake, Supervisor.........................................517-937-9061 Rachel Brown, Charlotte............................................................. 248-826-7243 Alyssa DeWitt, Elkhart, IN...........................................................269-967-7351 Brandon Ewers, Coldwater, Sustainability.................................231-414-4539 Joe Packard, Manchester, Animal Care......................................248-520-3481
Laboratory Supervisor Patti Huttula.................................................................................. ext. 219 Quality Sudeep Jain...................................................................................ext. 249 Manufacturing Kaylan Kennel......................................................................248-880-5413 Member Services Emily Keranen...............................................................................ext. 203
Brittni Tucker, Eagle.....................................................................248-880-3785
Human Resources Kelly Kerrigan................................................................................ ext. 301
MMPA Labs
Sales Judy Lofgren................................................................................. ext. 301
Novi (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.)
Credit/Insurance Cheryl Schmandt........................................................................... ext. 333
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 John Lehman, Elsie......................................................................248-444-6775
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
/ MAY-JUNE 2021
Board of Directors Officers Doug Chapin, Board Chairman Tony Jandernoa Board Vice Chairman Eric Frahm, Treasurer Joe Diglio, President and CEO Sheila Burkhardt, Secretary 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
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Spring has sprung on the countryside: flowers blooming, pastures greening. Gentle winds bringing a new season, welcoming warm after winter’s sheen. Splashes of color on the hillside: petals blushing, Holsteins grazing. Peeking through a veil of flowers a spring scene of winter's making. PHOTO BY: TINA HEYDENBURG, MIDLAND, MI WORDS BY: EMILY KITTENDORF
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milk messenger
/ MAY-JUNE 2021
milk messenger / MAR-APR 2021
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P.O. Box 8002 Novi, MI 48376
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