VOL. 104
/ 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 EMILY KITTENDORF
If there’s anything we’ve learned in the past couple years, it’s that change is inevitable. Dairy farmers may know it best with the volatile market they successfully operate in every day. Most times it’s not about the change itself though, but the attitude about it that dictates the outcome. As revealed during the 106th Annual Delegate Meeting at the end of March, MMPA is set to take charge of change as we continue to face supply disruptions, labor challenges and an evolving consumer.
On the Cover During the Annual Meeting, Koppenol Dairy Farms in Coopersville, Michigan, was recognized as MMPA’s Top Quality Award Winner. The Koppenols achieved the lowest somatic cell count among the membership for the second time in their history. Learn more about what they do on their farm to achieve success and focus on quality despite the ever-changing market environment around them on page 20.
Inside this Issue The Koppenols aren’t alone in producing high quality milk. MMPA members received nearly half of all National Dairy Quality Awards, a true testament to the prestige of the Top Quality Award Winner and the hard work every MMPA member puts in on their farms (pg.18). Other outstanding MMPA members were recognized during the Annual
Editor & Advertising Manager 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. 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)
Meeting (pg. 14), including milestone members reaching 35 and 50 years as MMPA members and 2021 Outstanding Young Dairy Cooperator finalists. And finally, flip to page 24 to see an overview of dairy’s numbers in 2021. The best way to approach change that is yet to come is by understanding what got us to where we are today.
milk messenger / MAR-APR 2022
5
