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DAIRY ST R “All dairy, all the time”™
Volume 22, No. 24
Closing the gap between farmer, milk processor Communication, trust key to successful relationships By Stacey Smart
stacey.s@dairystar.com
MADISON, Wis. – An open line of communication with his milk processor helps drive success for Wisconsin dairy producer Jim Winn, of Cottonwood Dairy, and South Dakota dairy producer Kevin Souza, of Victory Farms. Winn ships his milk to Grande, and Souza ships his milk to Valley Queen Cheese. Each farmer enjoys a close-knit relationship with his processor. “Our communication with Grande is second to none,” said Winn, who milks 1,750 cows. “I’ve known the Grande reps since I was a kid. It means a lot to be in business with guys you know and trust. That’s why I recommend getting to know your processor on a personal level, not just on a business level. Grande is like family, and we work very well together.” Winn and Souza were joined by Jason Mischel, vice president of sales and milk procurement at Valley Queen Cheese, and Greg Siegenthaler, vice president of supply chain for Grande Cheese, in a panel entitled “Building Relationships: Farmer and Processor Insights” during the virtual Dairy Strong conference Jan. 19-21. Viewing each other as friends, the dairy producers and processors cited communication and trust as key to successful farmer/processor relationships. A mutual reliance between farmer and processor helps ensure issues are resolved quickly. The four agreed the conversations are not always easy, but communication is important. For example, when Valley Queen announced it was getting away from shipping milk containing bovine somatotropin, they notied farmers a year in advance. “That year-notice was huge for our business in deciding how we were going to come off it,” Souza said. “I had buddies who only had a couple months’ notice.” Winn said he also received a oneyear notice for the removal of BST. “When the eld man told me he was going to take it away, I wasn’t happy,” Winn said. “But it was the best thing for us in the long run. Now, I wouldn’t use BST if they gave it out for free.” Valley Queen stays connected to its Turn to RELATIONSHIPS | Page 5
February 13, 2021
Cows keep Kruegers going
Couple continues dairy farming through stage 4 cancer diagnoses By Krista Kuzma
krista.k@dairystar.com
EAGLE LAKE, Minn. – Dairy farming can be physically, emotionally and mentally draining on even the healthiest person; however, when a stage 4 cancer diagnosis is thrown into the mix, the everyday routine of milking cows can sometimes be comforting relief. At least it has been for the Kruegers. Despite each having a stage 4 cancer diagnosis, Tom and Linda Krueger KRISTA KUZMA/DAIRY STAR
Turn to KRUEGER | Tom and Linda Krueger each have stage 4 cancer, but conƟnue to operate their 50-cow dairy near Page 6 Eagle Lake, Minnesota.
MARK KLAPHAKE/DAIRY STAR
Frosted trees provide a picturesque background for the Jersey cows Feb. 4 at Luke and Rosanna Sauder’s 60-cow dairy near Elrosa, Minnesota.