Milk Messenger: January/February 2022

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2022

VOL. 104

CHANGE, GROW, DRIVE MMPA AQUIRES OHIO-BASED SUPERIOR DAIRY

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DAIRY CARE ACADEMY

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BACTERIA COUNTS 101

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features

20 Dairy Care Academy: Investing in Your Workforce

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Dairy Care Academy, a free MMPA animal care training program, is hosting two in-person trainings, along with a webinar training, during the month of February.

CHANGE, GROW, DRIVE MMPA recently acquired Superior Dairy in Canton, Ohio, which has a 100 year history of entrepreneurial spirit.

The acquisition is intented to drive change and bring value to MMPA members.

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BACTERIA COUNTS 101 Bacteria counts—on raw, pre-incubated, and lab pasteurized milk—are tests performed by the Novi laboratory to help determine milk quality. Here’s what you need to know about these bacteria counts, what they mean and how you can improve your results. milk messenger / JAN-FEB 2022

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contents

THROUGH THE ACQUISITION OF SUPERIOR DAIRY, MMPA PRODUCTS NOW INCLUDE WHOLE AND HALF GALLONS OF MILK.

DAIRY CARE ACADEMY OFFERS THREE TRAINING FORMATS, INCLUDING A VIRTUAL WEBINAR ON FEBRUARY 24.

05 EDITOR’S NOTE

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06 MILK MINUTE

MMPA TO ACQUIRE INNOVATIVE DAIRY PROCESSOR SUPERIOR DAIRY

26 YOUR DAIRY PROMOTION AT WORK

Continued Financial Strength Driven

by Strategic Initiatives

08 QUALITY WATCH

28 FREELINERS & CLASSIFIEDS

10 NEWS & VIEWS

29 FARM SUPPLY STORE

12 LEGISLATIVE WATCH

30 STAFF

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What makes MMPA’s marketability outstanding?

OYDC FINALISTS

MEMBER MOMENT

“The acquisition of Superior Dairy demonstrates how MMPA dairy farmer member-owners are committed to investing in innovation and technology for their future.”

DOUG CHAPIN, MMPA BOARD CHAIRMAN (PAGE 15)

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VOL. 104

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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

2022 is poised to be an invigorating year for MMPA. We are welcoming in three new business units with the acquisition of LEL Operating Company’s subsidiaries, including Superior Dairy. With the new location in northeast Ohio, our presence in the Great Lakes region and beyond is growing.

We are approaching the Annual Meeting in March and preparing to share our Annual Report with members, both centered around the theme of “Taking Charge of Change.” MMPA leaders look forward to sharing what this theme means to all our stakeholders, including members, employees and customers in th coming weeks.

On the Cover I recently had the opportunity to tour MMPA’s newest facility in Canton, Ohio, which is the home of Superior Dairy. We breezed past blow molds forming the signature caseless milk jugs, vats of cottage cheese and tubs being filled with sour cream. This issue brings you into the plant with us with an in-depth feature about the 100-year old Superior Dairy on page 16.

In this Issue MMPA will soon bring back in-person Dairy Care Academy sessions and this issue contains all the details on page 20. As MMPA celebrates member quality awards from fiscal year 2021, see the full award listing on page 24 and learn how to improve your quality test results on page 22. Also in this issue, we check in with

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.

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)

MMPA Outstanding Young Dairy Cooperator (OYDC) finalists Ryan and Katie Schumacher (page 14). milk messenger / JAN-FEB 2022

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MILK MINUTE

Continued Financial Strength Driven by Strategic Initiatives

BY TOM DOWNEY, MMPA CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

I TOM DOWNEY

n 2021, MMPA continued strengthening our overall financial position in a variety of ways, an accomplishment the entire MMPA staff contributed to. Though I recently joined MMPA as chief financial officer earlier this year, in this time, I have enjoyed working alongside MMPA’s staff, board of directors and independent auditors to ensure your cooperative is in good financial health.

In the past year, we marketed 4.7 billion pounds of milk, a 3 percent increase year-overyear. Despite the growth in volume, we were able to reduce our controllable costs relative to last year by undertaking multiple expense rationalization exercises. These expense reduction efforts were accomplished via teaming across multiple MMPA departments and represent a significant win given the current inflationary environment.

Looking towards our balance sheet, we have reduced our debt to the lowest level in the past 10 years while also continuing to increase our equity position. Driven by the health of our balance sheet, MMPA made a strategic decision to reduce our net savings in 2021 relative to historical targets which allowed MMPA to return more cash to our members.

MMPA’s long-term debt to equity ratio, an industry standard used by lenders to determine the risk associated with lending to an entity, is extremely strong relative to other market participants. You can think of this value as how much of the co-op’s assets are owned by our members, versus how much is owned by our lenders. Our current debt to equity ratio poises us for future growth, ensuring that we’ll be able to have access to capital markets to facilitate growth opportunities.

As a result of reducing controllable costs and strengthening our balance sheet, the market adjustment was reduced compared to the previous fiscal year. MMPA also paid $23.6 million in producer incentives, returned patronage of $1.4 million to members and distributed 2011 equity of $4.2 million.

During fiscal year 2021, we saw a tightening of the milk market relative to recent historical levels. A number of market dynamics contributed to this tightening (labor shortages, the Glanbia plant reaching full capacity, etc.), but the reduction in available supply has allowed additional plant capacity providing greater flexibility to service our customers.

Overall, MMPA is in a solid financial position that sets us up for future success. Our entire team will continue to take deliberate and measured actions to ensure that we continue to market our members milk to the greatest advantage possible. Thank you to all MMPA members for the opportunity to work for and serve you. I’m excited for what the future has in store.

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QUALITY WATCH

What makes MMPA’s marketability outstanding?

WE ASKED THE EXPERTS:

Dean Letter

Ben Chapin

Brad Crandall

MMPA Member Services Director

MMPA Field Services Manager

MMPA Member

MMPA’s Quality Award Program is split into three levels: Bronze, Silver and Gold.

During this year’s local meeting season, MMPA awarded 246 Bronze awards, 52 Silver awards and 30 Gold awards. These farms represent approximately 48 percent of the MMPA membership.

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 Hoard’s Dairyman this month for recognition of this year’s winners.

The flavor, texture and shelf life of your favorite dairy products are attributed in part to the quality of the milk produced on the farm. There is nothing a dairy processing plant can do to improve the quality of the raw milk coming into their facility. While raw milk quality is not the only criteria used by dairy processors when sourcing ingredients, it is one of the key criteria suppliers have at their disposal to get their foot in the door to have conversations and develop the supplier relationships that return value to dairy farmers.

The last two years saw supply chain and labor disruptions like the industry has not seen in many years. Congratulations to our member farms who continue to produce exceptional quality milk amid the mounting challenges of the past two years.

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Congratulations to this year’s group of quality award winners! The dedication of MMPA’s membership to milk quality is second to none in the industry. From the membership’s commitment to animal care, to their attention to the details at their farms, MMPA members continue to produce some the best quality in the country.

Your MMPA field staff are also dedicated to support the membership in these efforts through the services it provides. MMPA has a trained staff to assist members in improving quality. Members have access to their own lab at our home office in Novi, Michigan, that provides multiple tests for quality and components. The field staff are excellent resources to troubleshoot wash and vacuum systems, review housing facilities and system designs, and provide on farm milking training schools.

MMPA’s Dairy Care Academy is a great resource for training in milker training, stockmanship and calf raising, and helps provide the documented trainings needed through the FARM program. This training will be available in a few in-person classes this upcoming winter and spring, as well as available online.

Thank you to the membership for another great year of outstanding quality!

At Crandall Dairy Farms LLC in Battle Creek, Michigan, elite milk quality is our measuring stick. Weekly and monthly lab reports help our team stay on course, and winning quality awards helps motivate us.

We have learned through the years that milk quality is the result of focusing on the finer details of animal care. Our dedicated staff of experienced full-time employees understand that being the best they can be every day is key to our competitiveness in the dairy business.

While 350 cows can be a challenging size in some ways, it allows our key people to participate in a multitude of areas of the operation. They have a great understanding of the interconnectedness of everything that goes into healthy animals and quality milk.

In the parlor we have learned not to cut corners in any way. We hand strip all cows, use a 1% iodine pre-dip and dry udders with individual microfiber towels that are washed and completely dried. Cows are post-dipped with Ecolab Artec year-round with Thrifty Dippers.

We have a streak of five straight national quality awards and six straight MMPA gold quality awards. Thank you to Stacey Koyl, Thomas Wagner and Kelley Wagner, as well as our part-time staff and industry partners that make our success possible.

Dairy Care ACADEMY

Dairy Care Academy is a FREE MMPA program designed to help farms meet training requirements for the FARM program.

The interactive, day-long training is coming to an area near you and will include three sessions covering milking practices, dairy stockmanship and calf care.

Lansing | February 15

Clare | February 23

Virtual | February 24

MSU Pavilion

Church of the Nazarene

Online Webinar

4301 Farm Ln. 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

10160 S Grant Ave. 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

REGISTER AT MIMILK.COM/DCA (or call 248-474-6672 ex. 203)

NEWS & VIEWS

UPCOMING

EVENTS January 20 Resolutions Committee Meeting

February 15 Dairy Care Academy (Lansing)

February 23 Dairy Care Academy (Clare)

February 24 Dairy Care Academy (Virtual)

March 24 106th Annual Delegate Meeting

Take Root Farm Succession and Estate Planning Conference: Feb. 18 Are you worried about passing your farm on to the next generation? Are you trying to figure out what the possible tax law changes will mean to you? Do you need a refresher on all of the steps to complete for your estate plan? Farmers throughout Michigan are invited to attend the Take Root Farm Succession Planning Conference on Friday, February 18 at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The full-day conference will include presenters from Foster Swift Law Firm, Varnum Law Firm, Fraleigh Law, several accounting firms, and others. The headline presenter will be Jolene Brown, a farm succession planning consultant from Iowa who has done a fantastic job for our farmers in the past, providing practical guidance on how to lead a farming operation through this process.

For more information, please contact April Cantrell at acantre@michfb.com. Register by January 14 at https://bit.ly/3mdGHnT.

Michigan Dairy Health Symposium: March 10 The Michigan Dairy Health Symposium is a one-day event that will focus on dairy calf health management. The event will take place on March 10 at the Michigan State University campus from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Guest speakers will present new information regarding early life nutrition strategies, calf health and welfare, and calf disease diagnosis and treatment.

For more information, please contact Angel Abuelo at abuelo@msu.edu or 517-884-7818.

Register by Feb. 28 at https://bit.ly/3IZdRkU.

2022 Milk Check Dates January 18 and 26 March 17 and 28

The Michigan Manure Hauler Certification Program is a voluntary training program which helps to prevent manure application problems before they occur through increased nutrient management plan implementation and responsible manure application.

April 18 and 26

The goals of the Michigan Manure Hauler Certification Program are to:

May 17 and 26

• Prevent manure application problems before they occur.

June 17 and 27

• Increase nutrient management plan implementation.

July 18 and 26

• Demonstrate responsible manure application.

February 17 and 28

August 17 and 26 September 19 and 26 October 17 and 26 November 17 and 28 December 19 and 27

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Michigan Manure Hauler Certification Program

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• Increase the base level of manure management knowledge of all employees.

• Improve professionalism among manure applicators.

The certification program creates a clear pathway for farms and firms to move from training to certification, to third party audit - incentivized by reductions in insurance premiums - without implementing a mandatory program.

For additional information and to start Level 1 visit tinyurl.com/MIManureCert.

Great Lakes Regional Dairy Conference celebrates 20 years in February in Frankenmuth Educational sessions, exhibitor showcase and producer networking will round out the annual two-day conference, with several sessions featuring Michigan State University Extension educators.

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he 20th annual Great Lakes Regional Dairy Conference (GLRDC) offers dairy producers the opportunity to learn new strategies and tools to help their farm thrive. Producers will hear about ways to increase their bottom line and get the latest updates on issues facing the dairy industry. The conference will take place Feb. 3-4, 2022 at the Bavarian Inn and Conference Center in Frankenmuth, Michigan.

Dairy producers must constantly update and hone their skills in cow management, land and resource management, and people management.

This year’s GLRDC offers sessions to help producers in all these management areas position their operation for success. GLRDC also is a unique opportunity for networking among producers and industry representatives.

Volatile feed costs have squeezed dairy producers across the Great Lakes region in the past few years. Join our panel as we discuss how new research results and insights from fellow producers can help you to stabilize feed costs and get the most out of your feed investments. Several sessions will feature presentations and speakers from Michigan State University Extension, including Thursday morning’s session that will discuss strategies to get the most out of your feed dollar.

Throughout the two-day conference, producers will also learn: • Strategies to find the right balance between nutrition and economics.

• The latest in colostrum management and strategies to ensure healthy calves for the future from Tom Earleywine.

• How to position their dairy for success during this economic reset with David Kohl of AgriVisions LLC, who will share his expertise on the global and domestic economy, land values, cash rent, and more.

• Recommendations for forage alternatives to reduce risk, improve soil health and increase feed quality with Thomas Kilcer from Advanced Ag Systems LLC. • The latest technology for dairies and recommendations for deciding why, what and how technology should be incorporated into the farm from Trevor DeVries from the University of Guelph.

• The view from fellow producer Lee Kinnard of Kinnard Farms, from the other side of the lake. He helps manage their 8,200 cows, 7,000 heifers and 10,750 acres with a focus on sustainability and profitability.

• Strategies to recruit, retain and develop employees to grow with the dairy operation.

• How implementing sustainability strategies is critical to help achieve climate neutrality, better optimize water usage, and improve water quality from Sara Place of Elanco Animal Health.

• How to harness leadership to thrive in the future from Bob Milligan with Dairy Strategies LLC. • Personal strategies from Thomas Kilcer and other producers on utilizing winter forages to increase profits and improve soil health, while overcoming double cropping challenges.

• The latest in heifer reproduction to meet age at conception goals and better manage feed costs associated with raising heifers with Joseph Dalton from the University of Idaho.

The conference also includes an exhibitor showcase; industry and producer networking reception; the Michigan Holstein Association annual meeting; the Michigan Dairy Industry Banquet and an energizing presentation, “If I Can,” from Chris Koch. Chris, born and raised on a farm in Alberta, was born without arms and legs and used this challenge to fuel his dreams.

This motivational presentation is sure to leave attendees inspired to build the life they dream of. The conference also features an informal preconference session hosted by the United Dairy Industry of Michigan (UDIM), who will share an overview of organization’s dairy promotional activities. The preconference session is free and open to

anyone, including those not registered for the conference.

In addition to the exceptional educational sessions, attendees can connect with various agricultural companies, and purchase heifers and cows through Kreeger and Associates GLRDC All Breeds Online Exchange on Thursday and Friday.

Adult, student and farm registration options are available. Register by Jan. 23, 2022, to receive a discount of up to $25 a day. Online registration closes at midnight on Jan. 30, 2022. On-site registration is subject to availability.

For more information or to register online, visit www.glrdc.org. To register by phone, call 989-666-3773. milk messenger / JAN-FEB 2022

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LEGISLATIVE WATCH

USDEC and NMPF applaud USDA, DOT Strong message of support for agricultural exporters

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n behalf of dairy farmers and manufacturers across the country, the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) praised the strong message from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) urging the world’s leading ocean carriers to reform their practices to provide better service to U.S. agricultural exporters. The letter specifically referenced the need to expand use of available West Coast terminal capacity and to “restore reciprocal treatment of imports and exports [which] is inherent in trade.”

USDEC and NMPF repeatedly met with USDA and DOT officials as well as the White House over the past several months to urge a greater Administration focus on the shipping supply chain

crisis’s impact on agricultural exporters.

The dairy organizations have urged the Administration to call out profiteering by foreign-owned carriers at the expense of dairy exporters and take steps to address the supply chain crisis that’s cost the dairy industry $1.3 billion over just the first three quarters of 2021.

The letter sent mid-December was a key step in the right direction and builds on the successful passage of House legislation designed to curb some of the bad-faith practices by ocean carriers. USDA and DOT noted that, “This imbalance is not sustainable and contributes to the logjam of empty containers clogging ports. The poor service and refusal to serve customers when the empty containers are clearly available are unacceptable and, if not resolved quickly, may require further examination and action by the Federal Maritime Commission.”

“Dairy exporters are enduring tremendous challenges in getting their high-quality products to customers in overseas markets, which puts our industry’s reputation as a reliable supplier at risk.

Our competitors in the European Union and Oceania are eager to swoop in and scoop up those sales,” said Krysta Harden, president and CEO of USDEC. “USDEC commends the Administration’s recognition that the current situation facing our dairy exporters cannot continue and strongly supports further steps by the Federal Maritime Commission and other Administration entities to drive change swiftly.”

“Dairy farmers and their cooperatives have invested significantly in painstakingly cultivating export markets to help meet the growing global demand for dairy. This year’s shipping supply chain crisis has created enormous upheaval in maintaining those sales, which are so critical to the overall demand for American milk,” said Jim Mulhern, president and CEO of NMPF. “Dairy farmers strongly support USDA and DOT’s castigation of ocean shippers’ abusive practices and urge the Administration to take the steps necessary to bring about meaningful reforms in export access for our dairy industry.”

Both organizations formed an Export Supply Chain Working Group earlier this year and have worked on a range of initiatives to address the shipping crisis including the passage of HR 4996 and work to drive further Congressional advancement of this legislation. Steps by the Administration to fully use all existing authorities are a crucial complement to that ongoing legislative reform effort.

SOURCE: NMPF

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DMC signup to begin; USDA, Congress thanked for NMPFbacked improvements

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he National Milk Producers Federation is urging farmers to sign up for maximum coverage in 2022 under the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program, which is open through Feb. 18. This year’s DMC signup is accompanied by new enhancements that make the program even more valuable for producers seeking protection against unforeseen market risks.

“

Signing up for DMC, which offers cost-effective margin protection for small and medium-sized producers as well as inexpensive catastrophic coverage for larger dairies, is a no-brainer for 2022, especially considering the improvements we fought for in Congress and advocated for at USDA. “Signing up for DMC, which offers cost-effective margin protection for small and medium-sized producers as well as inexpensive catastrophic coverage for larger dairies, is a nobrainer for 2022, especially considering the improvements we fought for in Congress and advocated for at USDA,” said Jim Mulhern, president and CEO of NMPF. “This year has illustrated just how valuable this program is for those producers that can take advantage of it, and DMC will once again be an essential part of many farmers’ risk management in the coming year. We thank Congress and USDA for making the program stronger and helping dairy farmers in challenging times.”

Advisory Committee

DMC is part of a suite of federally backed risk-management tools, including the Dairy Revenue Protection (DRP) program and the Livestock Gross Margin for Dairy Producers (LGM-Dairy) program, which were revamped in the 2018 Farm Bill at NMPF’s urging. DMC resulted from NMPF’s effort to improve inadequate federal marginprotection insurance. LGM-Dairy and DRP were made workable via NMPF’s efforts to remove spending caps and a ban on enrollment in multiple programs, which previously limited their usefulness.

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

More than $1.1 billion – a record – in DMC payments are expected to be distributed to dairy producers under the 2021 program, according to USDA data as of Dec. 6.

Marvin Rubingh, Ellsworth................425-533-8106 Ron Lucas, Posen...............................989-379-4694 Dave Folkersma, Rudyard...................906-630-1957 Paul Ponik, Posen...............................989-464-5924 Russ Tolan, Ossineke..........................989-471-2993

While DMC in 2022 will fully incorporate the premium-quality alfalfa price into the DMC feed cost formula, an improvement from the current structure that uses a 50-50 blend between the premium-quality price and the regular price, USDA will make retroactive payments to producers to January 2020.

Meanwhile, the new Supplemental Dairy Margin Coverage program will enable some producers who are also enrolled in DMC to receive additional payments reflecting increases in their production since 2014 retroactively to January 2021.

Both improvements occurred at NMPF’s urging. The alfalfa recalculation also will further benefit dairy in the next farm bill, as it will increase the amount of funds available for all programs that benefit dairy farmers.

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 Samantha Mamarow, Saline..............313-929-7878

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

DISTRICT 4

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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OYDC FINALISTS

RYAN AND KATIE

SCHUMACHER

Hometown: Kingston, MI Local: Deford/Clifford-Mayville District: 7

Ryan and Katie Schumacher are not afraid to jump in and take charge in leadership positions within their community. Ryan and Katie are active in Bay County Farm Bureau and their local counties’ 4-H programs. They are also parents to toddler Trey, and soon-to-be parents to a new baby Schumacher due March 2022! The future of their farm keeps them on their toes and gives them long-term perspective on the decisions they make today.

Q&A: Q: What do you love about being a farmer?

Being able to supply quality, nutritional food for my community.

Q: What’s the key to running a dairy farm?

Flexibility.

Q: What’s your favorite chore?

Feeding calves. Who doesn’t like baby calves?

Q: How can someone easily improve their milk quality?

Knowing their herd. By knowing your herd, you can improve genetics and improve overall herd health.

Q: Describe your farm management style in three words.

Improvement never stops.

Q: If you were given $1 million to invest in your farm, what would you do with it?

Improve heifer facilities and our feeding program.

Q: What does your farm look like in 30 years?

Hopefully helping and overseeing the next generation take over the farm and guiding them in managing a successful farm that my parents put their heart and soul into starting.

PHOTO BY: AMY SUE PHOT0GRAPHY©

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ON THEIR FARM The Schumachers know what it takes to implement change on a dairy farm all for the sake of better milk quality. They started milking in their family’s stantion barn and recently transitioned to two robots on their farm in Kingston, Michigan. This change, paired with upgrading their production record system and using the Central Star breeding program has set them up for greater genetic potential and better milk quality.

MMPA acquires innovative dairy processor Superior Dairy MMPA recently acquired Superior Dairy in Canton, Ohio, a subsidiary of LEL Operating Company.

Under the terms of the acquisition, all of LEL Operating Company’s subsidiaries, Superior Dairy, Inc., Creative Edge Design Group, Ltd., and LEL Logistics, Inc., became wholly owned subsidiaries of MMPA effective December 31, 2021. Ultimately, the new organization launched a multi-state dairy manufacturing and innovation campus with four facilities in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana, employ a team of over 625 individuals, and service dairy farmers across the Great Lakes region.

Building on the strong partnership developed between the two organizations over the years, the acquisition will bring greater innovation, product diversity and efficiencies to the marketplace. With Superior Dairy under its umbrella, MMPA will be able to provide a greater focus on go-to market strategies more quickly than

operating individually to meet the needs of customers and consumers while continuing to support farmers, employees and other stakeholders.

“MMPA’s relationship with Superior Dairy has accelerated over the last six years and we have mutually benefitted from our partnership. Bringing Superior Dairy into the MMPA family will enable us to better tap into their wealth of product development experience to bring value added processing capacity for our dairy farmer members,” said Joe Diglio, president and CEO of MMPA.

member-owners are committed to investing in innovation and technology for their future. This move ensures there is a reliable outlet for our farmers’ milk while securing their future within the dairy community,” said Doug Chapin, board chairman of MMPA and dairy farmer.

“Our partnership with MMPA and their members’ exceptional quality milk has been an integral part of our growth.

By taking advantage of our combined manufacturing assets, we will continue our trajectory and the opportunities that this collaboration enables,” said Greg Soehnlen, President and CEO of Superior Dairy, Inc. and LEL Operating Company.

Both organizations have had long and proud histories of supplying quality milk and milk products to consumers and are strategically aligned on their vision for the future. MMPA is a 106-year-old dairy cooperative, while Superior Dairy was founded in 1922 and will soon celebrate the company’s 100th anniversary. To generate long-term success of both organizations, the agreement provides for the repurposing and reutilization of each organization’s resources and current manufacturing facilities to better serve MMPA and Superior Dairy’s needs more collaboratively.

“The acquisition of Superior Dairy demonstrates how MMPA dairy farmer

ABOVE: MMPA PRESIDENT & CEO JOE DIGLIO (LEFT) WITH LEL OPERATING COMPANY / SUPERIOR DAIRY PRESIDENT & CEO GREG SOEHNLEN (RIGHT).

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SUPERIOR DAIRY

CHANGE, GROW, DRIVE SUPERIOR DAIRY BRINGS 100 YEARS OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP TO MMPA THROUGH RECENT ACQUISITION

BY ALLISON STUBY MILLER

JUST SOUTHWEST OF CANTON, OHIO, ONE UNASSUMING PLANT HAS SPARKED CHANGE WITHIN THE DAIRY INDUSTRY. KNOWN FOR THE UNIQUE CUBIC SHAPED MILK GALLONS, SUPERIOR DAIRY HAS TAKEN WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT TRADITIONAL DAIRY PRODUCTS AND TRADITIONAL PACKAGING AND TRANSFORMED THEM TO BUILD GREATER OPPORTUNITIES. AND AS OF THE START OF 2022, THESE INNOVATIONS, THIS BUSINESS AND THESE OPPORTUNITIES ARE NOW PART OF THE MMPA FAMILY.

B

uilding on a partnership formed seven years ago, Superior Dairy, along with two other LEL Operating Company subsidiaries (Creative Edge Design Group, Ltd., and LEL Logistics, Inc.), recently became wholly owned subsidiaries of MMPA. “Our intent is for this acquisition to drive change and bring greater value to member-owners. Bringing Superior Dairy into the MMPA family will be a continuation of the course we have charted toward business development and innovation,” MMPA President and CEO Joe Diglio said.

With drive and determination as signature attributes for Superior Dairy, the acquisition will further inject this change into MMPA. “When most industries start to change, others will hit that little bump and stop.

We find a way to continue to change,

grow and drive. That’s the best part about this whole company,” Greg Soehnlen, who served as president and CEO of LEL Operating Company prior to the acquisition, said. With LEL Operating Company subsidiaries now under the MMPA umbrella, Greg Soehnlen has joined the MMPA leadership team as Chief Operating and Business Development Officer.

A Century of Entrepreneurship Founded in 1922, Superior Dairy will turn 100 years old in 2022 and was up until recently a family-owned business.

Greg Soehnlen’s father, Dan, was Board Chairman of LEL Operating Company and is part of the third generation leading the business. He attributes the growth and success of Superior Dairy to the family’s entrepreneurial spirit.

“

When most industries start to change, others will hit that little bump and stop.

We find a way to continue to change, grow and drive That’s the best part about this whole company.

“Our business comes from a very entrepreneurial background. Back in the early part of the last century, CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

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my grandfather came over from AlsaceLorraine in France to start making brandy,” Dan Soehnlen said.

Then prohibition came and the brandymaking business ground to a halt.

After watching his business go down the drain, Dan Soehnle's grandfather, Joseph, made a crucial pivot to dairy.

“In order to feed his family, he made a business deal with local farmers and got himself a small pasteurizer and small set of bottles and horse and wagon. That was the start of Superior Dairy,” Dan Soehnlen said.

Through most of the twentieth century, Superior Dairy operated as a traditional dairy servicing Northeast Ohio. They produced the standard milk gallons, half gallons and ice cream and novelty products. Then in 2002, Superior Dairy launched their first innovation: the caseless gallon.

“

In order to feed his family, [Joseph] made a business deal with local farmers and got himself a small pasteurizer and small set of bottles and horse and wagon.

That was the start of Superior Dairy.

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“Being the entrepreneurs we are as a family, we said there needs to be a better way for the industry. And that’s when Greg became heavily involved in the business. We started this inventive business model that has led to a break in success for Superior Dairy,” Dan Soehnlen said.

Greg Soehnlen said the company was faced with competing against much larger companies within the industry and decided to create a new business model. “That’s where we developed caseless shipping and flexible filling, without a milk crate, to ship milk quite a bit further. We expand our territory from the traditional 200-mile radius to a 2,000-mile radius,” he said. “That’s what we’re doing today.”

Today, Superior Dairy products can be found in 44 states and includes gallons and half gallons of milk, buttermilk, sour cream, cottage cheese, ice cream and decorated ice cream cakes. Most of their products are produced as private label, which means they are sold at retail under the brand names of other companies. Even if the name “Superior Dairy” isn’t on the label, their products can be identified with plant code 39-13.

Building Success through Innovation Greg Soehnlen says they are able to service a large territory and stand out in the marketplace through innovation.

With over 45 patents under their name, Superior Dairy had developed unique processes and transformed their manufacturing operations, from the way the bottle is produced to how they fill and palletize.

Creative Edge, another former LEL Operating Company subsidiary joining MMPA, develops and designs the innovations by operating a strategic think tank.

“We’re always looking out one, five and 10 years. We massage that business model through the innovation cycle.

We like to have lofty vision about where we want to see the industry go.

Then we communicate that vision to our customers, so they see where we’re going,” Greg Soehnlen said.

Brad Parks, president of Creative Edge, says he works with operations, distribution and all functions of the business to execute new innovations for Superior Dairy. “I am charged with taking Greg’s crazy ideas and finding a way to

implement them in a way we make money at the end of the day,” Parks said.

“We like to work with our customers and really take an idea to market.”

Superior Dairy’s customers are primarily retailers, including membership-only retail warehouses. Greg Soehnlen says their relationships with customers is not a traditional buy-sell relationship.

“There’s an element of progressiveness, element of partnership and element of innovation and change we try to bring to the customers,” he said.

A Future with MMPA Superior Dairy and MMPA forged a strong partnership over nearly seven years of working together. Combining forces with the acquisition will create a larger, stronger organization with a collective team of 625 employees, four manufacturing locations and a united approach to market member milk.

“Throughout our relationship with Superior Dairy, I have worked alongside Greg to develop synergies between our two organizations. Together, we identified that MMPA and Superior Dairy are united on how we want to go to market, our core values are aligned, and

“

Blending MMPA leadership with Greg and the team from Superior Dairy will enable MMPA to create new and innovative opportunities for our combined business. we are committed to the same vision,” Diglio said.

Greg Soehnlen says he sees the alignment evident in how the teams of the two organizations have come together. “When you get our senior team and MMPA’s senior team together, you see the mesh and integration. That is one key thing that I was always say is very important for us to continue to drive. The second thing is MMPA’s farm staff and our field staff, our quality department and MMPA’s quality department are very connected and aligned,” he said.

“Blending MMPA leadership with Greg and the team from Superior Dairy will enable MMPA to create new and innovative opportunities for our combined business,” Diglio said.

For Parks, high quality milk continues to be crucial in making it all work.

“Everything starts with the milk and the high quality, which MMPA is known for.

That’s what attracted us to MMPA was high-quality milk. We like to say we’ve got nothing without milk. We recognize that that as a key thing, that it starts with quality dairy products,” he said.

Looking ahead, Greg Soehnlen is looking forward to bringing in key customers through the combined organization. “We’ll get hot and heavy on customer growth and product growth. We are going to integrate customers to what we know and what MMPA has to offer. In the process of bringing food from the farm to consumer, we’ll close that loop in a highly powerful way,” he said.

Dan Soehnlen says he see the acquisition as a great opportunity to build on his family’s success. “To be part of MMPA is like the dream of an entrepreneur,” he said. “MMPA is just what this company needs to team up with to be very, very strong.We can be national—not just Michigan and Ohio— national. We’re in 44 states today, there’s no reason we can’t be in 50.”

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DAIRY CARE ACADEMY

As we continue to face a labor shortage across the country, it’s arguably more crucial than ever before for farms to invest in their employees.

An easy way to help retain the employees your farm currently has is to ensure that in addition to being respected and valued, they are properly trained in how to do their everyday tasks with opportunities to continuously learn and improve.

MMPA offers Dairy Care Academy, a free animal care training program for farm owners and employees. Designed to help farms meet the Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) program training requirements, it also educates employees and improves onfarm performance.

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In-Person Training Throughout the month of February, MMPA members can send employees or family members to in-person Dairy Care Academy trainings in Lansing, Michigan on February 15 and in Clare, Michigan on February 23. The interactive, daylong training is broken into three sessions: milking practices, dairy stockmanship and calf care.

During the event, participants will watch demonstrations, participate in handson activities and receive a free lunch.

Participants in attendance go back to the farm with a printed 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 https://bit.ly/ DCARegistration22. TO LEARN MORE, VISIT MIMILK.COM/DCA OR CONTACT YOUR MEMBER REPRESENTATIVE.

Virtual Training For those who are unable to join the in-person sessions, members and employees can enroll in a virtual Dairy Care Academy training scheduled for February 24. This training opportunity is a virtual replication of traditional Dairy Care Academy programming that will include live training covering the traditional topics of milking practices, dairy stockmanship and calf care.

Just like during an in-person training, participants can ask questions, interact with speakers and will receive a certificate of completion. Each member farm will also 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 https://bit.ly/ DCARegistration22. TO LEARN MORE, VISIT MIMILK.COM/DCA OR CONTACT YOUR MEMBER REPRESENTATIVE.

Online, On-Demand Training MMPA members also continue to have access to an on-demand, 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.

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.

Successful dairy operations rely on quality employee training to keep all animal caretakers on task and performing best practices. Dairy Care Academy teaches farm employees how to provide excellent care to animals, preventing cutting corners and improving adherence to best practices. Farms that benefit the most from training are those that commit to incorporating best procedures taught to employees on their farm. Setting expectations and evaluating adherence to procedures long-term are surefire ways to build a successful farm team.

UPCOMING

DCA

TRAININGS

February 15 MSU Pavilion 4301 Farm Lane Lansing, MI 48910 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

February 23 Church of the Nazarene 10160 S. Grant Avenue Clare, MI 48617 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

February 24 Online Webinar 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

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BACTERIA COUNTS 101

BACTERIA COUNTS 101 Raw Bacteria, Pre-Incubated and Lab Pasteurized Counts

F

rom Somatic Cell Counts (SCC) to bacteria counts to component testing, the multitude of tests to be performed on milk samples seem to be endless. At times, SCC may seem like the end-all be-all for milk quality, yet there are many more tests used to determine quality and the pay price on your milk check. Bacteria counts—on raw, pre-incubated, and lab pasteurized milk—are tests performed by the Novi laboratory to help determine milk quality. Here’s what you need to know about these bacteria counts, what they mean and how you can improve your results:

Raw Bacteria Count – RBC Overview: RBC is also sometimes referred to as PLC or official. Prior to testing, milk samples are maintained at 32 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit and then tested on the BactoScan. The BactoScan is an instrument that electronically measures the bacteria levels in milk.

Testing frequency: Once per month minimum, tested more frequently by request.

Premiums: Premium of 5 cents per cwt. is added if raw result is equal to or below 10,000 Colony Forming Units (cfu) per millimeter (mL). There will be a deduction of 10 cents per cwt. for a raw result greater than 100,000 cfu/mL. For more information on premiums, see page 33. The required test performed each month is also a regulatory test. The bacteria count for each producer is shared with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development as a requirement of holding a Grade A permit. It is illegal to sell milk with a RBC greater than 100,000 cfu/mL. Ways to improve results on the farm: High RBC results can be related to poor cooling in the bulk tank; warmer temperatures allow bacteria to multiply faster than cooler temperatures. Dirty milking equipment can also impact these counts. It is also important to ensure udder prep is satisfactory. On rare occasions, a cow can shed enough bacteria in her milk to elevate this count, these cows can be identified by a high SCC. EXCELLENT GOOD WARNING ACTION NEEDED ______________________________________________________________

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1,000-5,000 cfu/mL

5,000-10,000 cfu/mL

10,000-50,000 cfu/mL

50,000 cfu/mL and above

Pre-Incubated Count - PIC

Lab Pasteurized Counts - LPC

Overview: To perform this test, the milk sample is pre-incubated at 55 degrees Fahrenheit for 18 hours prior to testing it on the BactoScan. The 55 degrees Fahrenheit incubation is an optimal growth temperature for psychrotrophic (cold-loving) bacteria. An elevated result could indicate the presence of a spoilage organism.

Overview: The LPC is the number of bacteria per ml of milk which survive laboratory pasteurization at 143 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes. Thermoduric bacteria can survive pasteurization because they have developed mechanisms to resist heat and other lethal agents such as sanitizers. Most of these bacteria have an ability to create a protective shell called a spore making it very tough to kill. When looking at the results in the mailer or on the MMPA website, this test is referred to as “PAST.”

Testing frequency: Once per month minimum, tested more frequently by request.

Premiums: Premium of 5 cents per cwt. is added if PI result is equal to or below 20,000 cfu/mL.

Testing frequency: LPC tests are performed by request of the member. Several customers also request/require LPC results on all members serving their facility.

Ways to improve results on the farm: Hot water used for Clean In Place (CIP) milking equipment should be 160-180 degrees Fahrenheit at the faucet, as milking equipment cleanliness is critical to achieving a good score on this test. Key places to check for cleanliness of milking equipment include: receiver, milking claws, inflations, swingline and bulk tank. The bulk tank should also be cooled to less than 40 degrees Fahrenheit within one hour of the end of milking.

Elevated temperatures allow bacteria to multiply more quickly. Poor udder prep can elevate bacteria levels as well, be sure to check the filter sock after each milking shift, a clean sock with little debris will reflect adequate udder prep.

Premiums: LPC is not a regulatory test and there is currently no premium for LPC results.

EXCELLENT GOOD WARNING ACTION NEEDED ______________________________________________________________

EXCELLENT GOOD WARNING ACTION NEEDED ______________________________________________________________

1,000-5,000 cfu/mL

less than 10-30 cfu/mL

5,000-20,000 cfu/mL

20,000-100,000 100,000 cfu/mL cfu/mL and above

Ways to improve score on the farm: Prevent higher LPC results by checking the rubber components of equipment, such as milk hoses and line gaskets, for cracks and cleanliness. Any leaky gaskets should be replaced immediately. As rubber parts age, cracks start to form and bacteria collects in those cracks. Overall cleanliness of equipment can also improve results. Extended milking time of eight hours or more can lead to higher LPC results because the longer milking period creates a warmer environment for bacteria to multiply quickly. It is important to change the filter sock every four to five hours and perform at least two complete washes every 24 hours.

30-50 cfu/mL

50-200 cfu/mL

200 cfu/mL and above

Here’s what you need to know about these bacteria counts, what they mean and how you can improve your results.

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QUALITY AWARD WINNERS

TAKING CHARGE OF

CHANGE

MMPA Quality Award Winners

L

ocal meetings this season will include presentations of quality awards to 328 members for the production of outstanding quality milk over the last fiscal year. Bronze, silver and gold awards will be presented to those members who met the established criteria for each award.

Adrian Local Bronze

• 328 total quality awards

Bronze

• 246 bronze awards • 52 silver awards • 30 gold awards

Bronze quality awards are presented to MMPA members who met both quality premium categories (10,000 or less 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.

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.

De Vries Dairy LTD Matthew Smith

Alma Local Gold Chapin Family Farm LLC (20) Double-B Dairy Louis & Ronald Brecht (20) Tjerk Okkema

Silver Cory & Gary Nielsen Oberlin Farms LLC Pine Hills Dairy LLC Albern Olson (10) Central Michigan Milk Production LLC Chad Peters (5) Double Eagle Dairy Inc Ephraim & Esther Martin Jeff & Larry Nielsen Joel Ensz Judge Dairy Farm Inc Kenneth Vredenburg Mark Wiles (5) Ronald & Kevin Litwiller Spring Lake Farms LLC (5) Titus & Lois Zimmerman TLC Dairy Vanderploeg Holsteins II LLC Vanderploeg Holsteins LLC William Hough Dairy Inc Wilson Centennial Farm LLC

Barry-Eaton Local Gold Crandall Dairy Farm LLC (10) Hammond Dairy Farm LLC

Silver Endsley Dairy Farms LLC (15)

Bronze Burdock Hills Dairy LLC (5) Cary Dairy Farms Inc Chase Crest Hill Farms LC (10) Halbert Dairy Farm LLC Kevin & Mark Klingaman Ladine Dairy Farm LLP Pixley Dairy Farm LLC Steven G Hochstetler

Star awards will be presented to those members who have received

Chippewa Local Bronze

a quality award for five (one star), 10 (two stars), 15 (three stars), 20

Folkersma Farm LLC Taylor Creek Farm LLC

(four stars) or 25 (five stars) consecutive years.

Clare-Mt Pleasant Local Silver House Dairy LLC

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Bronze Gross Farms Inc Jack Evans John Koch Le Var Farms LLC Martin C Fox Marvin Hershberger Michael Yoder Norman & Sarann Byler (5) Raymond & Miriam Kuhr Robert S Millard Stevens Dairy Farm LLC Tara Anthon Cattle & Management LLC

Constantine Local Gold Alvin D Bontrager Larry M Hershberger (10)

Silver Daniel M Martin (5) David E Hochstetler Ernest & Erma Wengerd Gerald M Martin Jacob W Weaver James & Sarah Delagrange LaVern D Miller Martin Yoder Jr Maynard F Miller Mervin A Bontrager Paul W Miller Wakiana Dairy Inc

Bronze

Andrew E Mast (5) Carl Zook Daniel A Bontrager Dave Kulp David H Miller David L Mast David L Nisley David M Bontrager David N Miller Dennis M Yoder Devon Ray Yoder (10) DeWayne E Mishler Dorvin Shaum Ernest L Mast Ervin D Mast Ervin O Miller Ezra L Bontrager Floyd O Bontrager Frye Family Farm LLC Harvey & Lamar Yoder Henry J Mullett James L Borkholder Jerry D Lehman Jesse & Chelsea Ramer John R Weaver Jonathan J Yoder Joni Borkholder Joseph E Miller Lamar J Eash

Lamar J Miller Lavern J Kurtz Maplebranch Farms Inc Marion & Marianne Mishler Mark Hilty Marlin Hoover Marlin R Miller Marvin E Eash Matthew D Miller Maynard & Laura Lehman Mybrook Farms Nathan E Miller (5) Neal L Borkholder Raymond D Yoder Richard O Lambright Ruben R Hochstetler Rufus B Zimmerman Samuel Jay Bontrager Snider Farms LLP Steven M Martin The Graber Family Toby E Yoder Verlin J Yoder Vernon R Miller Wakiana Dairy Inc Willie Yoder Jr

Hillman Local Silver

Mid-Michigan Local Gold

Owosso Local Silver

Risky Endeavor Dairy LLC (10) Skudlarek Dairy Farm LLC (10) Vernon D Yoder

Leroy & Ella Zimmerman Steenblik Dairy Inc

Ritter Farms LLC (25)

Bronze

Silver Berlyn Acres II LLC (15) Maple Glaze Dairy LLC Sanborn & Sons LLC Thelen Dairy Inc Tumbleweed Dairy LLC

Anibal Farms Cole Riverview Farms Inc Weil Dairy Farm

Deford/Clifford-Mayville Local Silver

Starward Farm (10)

Keith & Jane Wood

Evart Local Gold

Bode Valley Farm Inc Bon-Dale Farm Booms Dairy LLC Garlomar Farms Inc Gilde Farms LLC Michael L Bosscher Yonkman Dairy

Silver

David L DeZeeuw Gingrich Meadows Inc Leon Hamming

Bronze

Beerens Dairy Farm Benson Dairy LLC Benthem Brothers Inc (5) Buning Dairy Farm LLC Dick Haven Farms LLC Dodde Dale Farms LLC Edward & Darlene Gingerich (5) Firman & Ada Yoder Grindstone Farms LLC (15) Hillside Dairy LLC Many Blessings Dairy Inc Marlin & Ida Gingerich Matthew & Kimberly Deruiter Oudman Dairy LLC Ronald J Brinks Tacoma Dairy Inc Van Polen Farms (25) Wirth Farms LLC Zuiderveen Farms LLC (10)

Frankenmuth Local Gold

Haubenstricker Dairy Farm LLC

Bronze

Chester J Petzold Eric J Frahm Eric, Janel & Jared Woodward K & K Kern Farms LLC (10) Krafft Farms LLC Petzold Dairy Farms LLC Richard R Wardin Weber Family Dairy LLC (5)

Grand Rapids Local Bronze Byma Farms LLC Klamer Farms Inc Stoney Hill Farm Inc T & G Dairy LLC

Butterwerth Dairy Farm LLC Chippewa Dairy LLC Christensen Farms (10) Denise M Thiem Godfrey Farms Inc Joseph P Zbytowski (10) Nathan & Jodie Mitchell Werth Dairy LLC (10) Wilbur Miller

Hillsdale-Litchfield Local Bronze Arnold A Raymond Donald Lindsey Ferris Farms (5) Justin P Porter

Huron Local Gold Silver Daniel Van Erp David J Leavine (10) R L S Dairy Inc William C Mazure

Bronze Delcath Farms Hornbacher Farms Loren J Mazure (5) Nugent's Farm Dairy Oak River Dairy LLC Rose Valley Dairy LLC Thuemmel Dairy Inc

Bronze Adkinson Farm Andrew J Feldpausch Baese Family Farm LLC Cook Dairy Farm Diller Farms Dutch Meadows Dairy LLC (5) Evergreen Dairy Farm LLC Fedewa Dairy LLC Houska Farms Inc Joel & Samuel Bruebaker Kent Thelen Laverne & Maribeth Zimmerman & Sons LeRoy & Stephanie Schafer Lew-Max LLC MSU Dairy Cattle Teaching & Research Center (20) Nobis Dairy Farms Oak View Dairy LLC Riverview Dairy LLC (10) Simon Dairy Farm LLC Slavik Farms T & H Dairy II Wieber Dairy LLC (20)

Mid-Sanilac Local Bronze

Clona Farms LLC Grand Valley Farms Larry L Steffey

Bradley R Booms David Shoemaker Frederick & Candice Inbody Goma Dairy #2 MK Farms LLC Noll Dairy Farm Inc Reba Zimmerman & Sons Schultz Dairy LLC Sharrard Farms LLC (10) Timothy Mater Weaverland Farms

Kalamazoo Local Gold

Mid-Thumb Local Bronze

Jackson County Plus Local Silver Zenz Farms

Bronze

Clearview Dairy Farm LLC (5)

Silver Melvin T Puschel Timothy & Charles Hood & Tamara Spicher Vandenberg and Vandenberg

Bronze

Andrew A Brown Ankley Family Farm Hudzinski Dairy Farm Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority Reid Dairy Farm LLC Siegler Dairy Farm LLC Susan K Stewart

Bronze

Saline-Ann Arbor Local Gold Horning Farms LLC

Silver Lambarth Farms LLC (15)

Bronze Breuninger Farms LLC (20) Drakelan Farms LLC Edward, Jane & Samantha Mamarow

Sunrise Local Gold Anschuetz Dairy Farm Cedar Lane Dairy Farms (15) Clemens Dairy Farm Inc Mark R Ramer (5)

Silver Brad & Nicole Wren Derek Brewer Reetz Dairy LLC W-R-L Daniels Farm LLC

Bronze Bennett Dairy Farm LLC (10) Double B Dairy Gallagher Dairy Farm Inc Keith & Emily Martin Lemajru Dairy Farm LLC Naaman Martin RDJ Dairy Weber Dairy Farms LLC W-R-L Daniels Farm LLC

U.P. West Central Local Bronze Dale & Wendy Fisk Drayton Family Dairy LLC James & Connie Seefeldt Robert & Scott Paidl Wieciech Farms

Upstate Local Gold Alfred & Susan Gingerich

Bronze Douglas K Warner Joseph & Mary Gingerich (5) Richard J Fettig Rubingh's Dairyland LLC Stanek Farm Themm Brothers

Cloverdale Farms LLC Craig & Linda Jo Newland Ransler Farms LLC Victor Puschel Wamhoff Family Dairy Farm LLC

Muskegon Local Gold

Lansing Local Silver

Silver

Silver

J-Max LLC Slater Farms LLC Stakenas Farms Inc Stroven Farms Sunglow Dairy LLC

Bronze

Sonray Acres

Bronze Chris, Kristina, Hans & Patricia Langmaack Curtis Family Farms LLC Heyboer Farms Inc

Livingston Charter Local Silver White Dairy LLC

Bronze Bon-Tek Operations LLC Clarinda Farms LLC (5) Donal Farm LLC (5)

Koppenol Dairy Farms Inc Larsen Farms Slater Farms 88th LLC

Bronze Andrew, Casey & Glen Sparks Beuschel Fruit & Dairy LLC Dewey Farm LLC Donald A Beattie Ezra A Miller Norris Dairy Farm Inc (20) Oren & Irene Hershberger Orlie A Miller Slater Farms Baseline LLC (5) Sueann M Higgins Wayne Hecksel

West Michigan Local Gold Raterink Farms LLC Arlyn J Walt Robert & Donna Pepper Douglas, Lynn & Terry Huff Kuperus Dairy LLC Mark Hilaski Rolling Acres Dairy Farm LLC Sherman & Sherwin Moored Timothy Baker Welchkin Acres LLC

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YOUR DAIRY PROMOTION AT WORK

YOUR DAIRY CHECKOFF AT WORK National Updates

Newly-named DMI CEO Barb O’Brien shares her three immediate priorities for checkoff: • Stronger integration across dairy checkoff organizations; while each has its own mission, the power is in the whole working together to leverage talent and resources.

• Transparent articulation of the most important jobs to be done by the checkoff to grow dairy sales and increase trust domestically and around the world.

• Finding new efficiencies to maximize working dollars and the return on every dollar spent.

A new wave of the Undeniably Dairy campaign was launched to create deeper connections between Gen Z and dairy and give them new reasons to choose it over other products. “Reset Yourself with Dairy” is a youth-centric evolution of the checkoff’s consumer campaign and will use a variety of media channels and marketing strategies, including gaming, social media influencers and digital content, to engage with Gen Z to grow sales and trust of dairy.

U.S. dairy exports remain a bright spot in agriculture amid supply chain issues, and is on pace to set new records in 2021. The checkoff-funded U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) says it’s the fact the health benefits of dairy are being advertised to consumers during the pandemic. In total, one out of every six tankers of milk in the U.S. goes to exports, which equates to nearly $6.5 billion in U.S. dairy products, sent to 133 countries.

The top buyer of U.S. dairy products is China, up 32% during the first half of the year on a milk equivalent basis.

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Virtual Farm Tours Continue to Reach Thousands

The number of students reached through the Virtual Farm Tours continued to grow for both Indiana and Michigan in 2021! Throughout the year, both organizations visited multiple dairy farms to provide interactive, educational and fun experiences for teachers and students. Many teachers expressed their appreciation for an opportunity for students to see behind the scenes since many are still not able to go on field trips.

In Michigan, over 24,000 students watched the live tours through Zoom!

Each tour is live-streamed, reaching 935 live viewers and also recorded and shared on YouTube. The videos have been viewed on Facebook and YouTube another 21,500 times. Indiana saw over 5,500 students and 2,600 consumers tune into two virtual farm tours this fall.

Students got to visit two farms in one trip with a special farm tour showing dairy farming in different settings. Herr Dairy Farm in Kendallville houses cows in a modern freestall barn, while Carter Dairy Farm in Frankfurt uses rotational grazing and a compost bedded pack.

Both farms use robotic milkers, so students could understand how farmers use innovative technology in different situations.

During every farm tour we are asked “where does the milk go when it leaves the farm?” So, we wrapped up the year with a tour of a Michigan dairy processing plant. Over 7,800 students joined the live tour on Zoom and the video has been watched 440 times on YouTube. One student commented, "I can't believe they get the milk to us so fast after getting it from the cow!"

Each tour has a pre and post survey. The pre-surveys show that most registrants have a high level of trust and opinion about dairy farming but that level increases following each tour. Teachers have a lower rating on their knowledge about dairy farming in the pre-survey, 43%, but this rating increases to 81% in the post survey.

The virtual farm tours in 2021 had an overall experience rating of 9.01 out of 10. Almost 75% of the teachers indicated the tours aligned with their curriculum standards. We also wrapped up the year with a Frequently Asked Questions email to teachers, helping them answer tough questions and get excited for another year of virtual tours!

Sustainability Series Bridges to College Students

In partnership with Ball State University, Indiana hosted a free online educational session designed to share current sustainable practices in our built environment and agriculture sectors and how our “footprint” should be reduced- using our hands. Consumers are increasingly making purchasing decisions based on the environmental impact of a product, but the term “sustainability” can be subjective, meaning something different and personal to everyone. To that end, attendees were asked what choices they can make to better protect our planet while ensuring equity, health, and prosperity in our community. Speakers explored the definition of sustainability in terms of not only environmental safety and the health of our planet, but also economic and social viability. Dairy is positioned to be a solution to environmental issues, and this session answered many questions from attendees about the myths and misconceptions of dairy farming.

UNITED DAIRY INDUSTRY OF MICHIGAN

Digital Campaigns Connect with Consumers Where They Are

school students, an integral group of future dairy consumers. The five videos are also available to the public on the ADAI YouTube channel.

This fall, UDIM hosted two digital campaigns in a cross-channel marketing effort on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Pinterest, YouTube, Spotify, and through targeted digital ads reaching Gen Z and Millennial Parents.

Marathoners Enjoy Chocolate Milk

They first shared how they can still enjoy dairy and fuel themselves with milk’s 13 essential nutrients without the indigestion that comes with being lactose intolerant.

Relatable lactose intolerant-friendly recipes and tips to incorporate real dairy in the diet were shared via TikTok-style, or short, video ads. The campaign resulted in 6.9M impressions.

We continue to hear, “the chocolate milk at the finish line is the best part of the race!”

Dairy sustainability messages from our Milk Means More farmer influencers Kip Siegler, Ashley Messing-Kennedy and Alycia Burch, covered topics such as dairy is local, upcycling and milk’s unique nutrient profile. The campaign ran for two weeks and resulted in 3.2M impressions with lots of comments and engagement from our audiences.

Indiana Video Series Highlights Farmers Environmental Impact

The ADAI video series “Sustainable Farming: Dairy in Balance” was launched for Earth Day in 2021, with the final videos being released throughout the fall.

Each video focused on a different area of sustainability on a dairy farm, including “Animal Care”, “Land & Water Use”, “Community.” Dairy farms of all shapes and sizes were represented to give an accurate depiction of the industry and the importance of environmental stewardship to all farms, regardless of production type. The five videos are packaged with a “Dairy Farming and Nutrition” guided unit so teachers can implement the series in the classroom. The targeted education level is upper middle school and high

UDIM staff spoke with around 8,000 people at the Grand Rapids Marathon, Detroit Free Press Exp and Amway River Bank Run about the importance of chocolate milk. Chocolate milk was provided for 22,000 runners.

Partnerships Provide Dairy and Help Communities in Need

Dairy plays a huge role in well balanced meals but also in comfort foods of the season. To connect more deeply with urban communities, ADAI was a proud contributor to the Indianapolis Colts "Horseshoe Helpings" event held in November. We worked with staff, athletes and other area companies to provide milk alongside a full holiday meal for 2,000 families in the Indianapolis area.

Retail Milk Drives Raise Over 220,000 Gallons of Milk

Michigan Dairy farmers partnered with grocery retailers Busch’s Fresh Food Markets and SpartanNash to encourage customers to donate more than 220,000 gallons of milk to families in need this year.

As a result of the 2021 milk drives: SpartanNash and its customers raised almost $350,000 during its first-ever milk drive across 145 locations throughout the Midwest. That equals 127,465 gallons of milk donated.

Busch’s Fresh Market customers donated 92,794 gallons of milk during two milk drives this year. This is the sixth year UDIM has partnered with Busch’s Fresh Markets on milk drives.

Crisis Corner: Cybersecurity With the recent ransomware attacks, is your business prepared to handle this type of threat? While none have been attributed to animal rights activist organizations thus far, activists have celebrated the incidents on social media and could certainly attempt to adopt the tactic to disrupt animal agriculture and food processing. The Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) published a list of “Best Practices for Preventing Business Disruption from Ransomware Attacks” to protect against outside infiltrators looking to disrupt the work of a company or organization. We recommend reviewing resources from the Department of Homeland Security on cybersecurity and using these tips: Keep Your Software Up to Date – Hackers use vulnerabilities in unpatched older operating systems Use Anti-Virus Protection & Firewall Use strong passwords or a password management tool Use Two-Factor or Multi-Factor Authentication Learn about Phishing Scams – Be very suspicious of emails, phone calls and flyers Protect your sensitive Personal Identifiable Information (PII) on social media – Don’t make information like your birthday or address public Use your mobile devices securely – Avoid sending personal identifiable information or sensitive information over text message or email Backup your data regularly – The only way to restore your data from an attack is to erase your systems and restore with a recently performed backup Don’t use a public Wi-Fi without using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) Review your online accounts and credit reports regularly for change milk messenger / JAN-FEB 2022

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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

Classifieds 2009 NEW HOLLAND H7450 DISCBINE, drawbar swivel

Freeliners Policy

hitch, good rolls, one owner, $15,300. Call 989-305-2659.

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

Classifieds Policy Cost for classifieds is $25 for the first 35 words and

LELY A3 NEXT ROBOT - $45,000. Chisel Plow 9 shanks

then $5 for each additional word. Payment due with

$4,000. Milk Compressors 5 horse 2012 models 1,000

order. All ads must be received by the 10th of the

each. Call 989-313-7323.

month preceding desired month of publication. MMPA

DOUBLE 16 SURGE MAG 40 with all vacuum pumps, air compressors, free heaters, H20 softener, a 2,000 gal and 4,000 gal bulk tanks with all units and washers, Dematron take offs, 32 ft air crowd gate, Mirafount H20’s, gates, fans, lights. Parting out or take all. Midland, MI 989-980-0793.

FOR SALE: HOLSTEIN BULLS ready for service - Gross Farms Registered Holsteins. Free delivery within 75 miles.

Call 989-289-7011.

DAIRY HERD MONITOR breeding wheel 30" by 34" handles 250 cows - $100. Call 616-406-5611.

month preceding desired month of publication.

neither sponsors nor endorses products or services advertised in the Milk Messenger.

BARN WHITE WASHING AND CLEANING WITH HIGH PRESSURE AIR: Serving all Michigan and Indiana.

Miller Spray Service, Inc. 574-825-9776.

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.

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

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

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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.

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.

Classifieds - continued 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.

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

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

Calf Scours Prevention Calf scours are a concern for every dairy farm. The MMPA Farm Supply Store offers two products that aid in the prevention and recovery of calf scours. Both products are from American Farm Products and are given orally.

Maxibac: Maxibac Calf Gel is a concentrated gel containing billions of specialized lactic acid bacteria and a yeast culture specially formulated for monogastric animals. It is used at birth to populate the gut with beneficial bacteria that can protect the animal from the overgrowth of harmful organisms. Give Maxibac at birth and when calves face environmental stresses such as transporting, environmental changes and feeding changes.

When a calf scours, Maxibac will restore the level of beneficial bacteria in the gut and restore gut pH to levels that will inhibit harmful organisms. Each 80cc syringe provides eight doses.

STOCK # 8301

DESCRIPTION

MEMBER PRICE

MAXIBAC CALF GEL 80CC

$13.37

Stand Up:

Michigan State University Extension is offering a response to accidents involving livestock online course Using our cars or trucks for transportation always comes with a risk of having an accident. The same applies to cattle, whether they are being transported in a single animal trailer or a double deck semi trailer and whether they are being move to a facility a few miles down the road or hundreds of miles away, the risk of an accident is always present. Michigan State University Extension started a project in 2018 called Emergency Response to Accidents Involving Livestock (ERAIL) to provide awareness and training on this topic to first responders, law enforcement officers, animal control officers, livestock haulers, livestock producers, and animal agriculture professionals.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT THE MSU EXTENSION EMERGENCY RESPONSE TO ACCIDENT INVOLVING LIVESTOCK WEBSITE OR CONTACT BETH FERRY AT FRANZELI@MSU.EDU.

Stand Up Calf Gel is a more aggressive culture of lactic acid bacteria that can live in more hostile environments. It is given when extreme environmental or physical problems exist and the animal is in danger of imminent death. Each 30cc syringe contains two doses.

STOCK # 8302

DESCRIPTION

MEMBER PRICE

STAND UP 30CC

$11.32

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.

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

milk messenger / JAN-FEB 2022

29

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

Sarah Michalek, Dewitt, Sustainability Supervisor...................248-305-0537

Toll free................................................................................800-572-5824

Ben Chapin, Remus, Field Services Manager........................... 989-289-0731

President and Chief Executive Officer Joe Diglio.......................................................................................ext. 202

Lindsay Green, East Lansing, Animal Care /Sustainability ......989-488-8159 Christy Dinsmoore, Vassar, Supervisor....................................248-513-7920 Frank Brazeau, Oconto, WI......................................................... 906-250-0337 Lyndsay Earl, Ludington, Animal Care.......................................231-519-2455 Deb Gingrich, Leroy, Animal Care/Sustainability......................248-520-3580 Courtney Gordon, Mt. Pleasant...................................................248-756-2062 Laura Gucwa, Bad Axe.................................................................248-826-6294 Ashley Herriman, Herron............................................................269-245-6632 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 Brittni Tucker, Eagle.....................................................................248-880-3785

MMPA Labs

Member and Government Relations Sheila Burkhardt...........................................................................ext. 208 Management Information Systems Andrew Caldwell...........................................................................ext. 304 Chief Financial Officer Tom Downey..................................................................................ext. 240 Laboratory Supervisor Patti Huttula.................................................................................. ext. 219 Quality Sudeep Jain...................................................................................ext. 305 Member Services Emily Keranen...............................................................................ext. 203 Human Resources Kelly Kerrigan................................................................................ ext. 301 Sales and Supply Chain Judy Lofgren................................................................................. ext. 333

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

Credit/Insurance Cheryl Schmandt........................................................................... ext. 210

In Michigan...........................................................................800-572-5824 Toll Free............................................................................... 800-233-2405

Operations Darren Standorf....................................................................248-321-3656

Ovid (Daily, 6 a.m.-10 p.m.)............................................. 989-834-2515 Constantine (Daily, 7 a.m.-10 p.m.)..................................800-391-7560

Communications Allison Stuby Miller.......................................................................ext. 296 Emily Kittendorf............................................................................ext. 234

Farm Supply - Mt. Pleasant

Corporate Controller Jeannie Strain................................................................................ext. 312

Supervisor: Duane Farmer, Mt. Pleasant

Member Relations Jessica Welch................................................................................ext. 303

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, Bulk Tank Calibration................................248-444-6775

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

Ovid, Michigan Mike Hedlund, Plant Manager............................................... 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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Board of Directors Officers Doug Chapin, Board Chairman Tony Jandernoa Board Vice Chairman Eric Frahm, Treasurer Joe Diglio, President and CEO Sheila Burkhardt, Secretary Tom Downey, Assistant 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 Brian Preston Quincy 517-376-1350 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

Yesterday’s bare branches, now blanketed in snow.

Quieting the bustle as the frigid wind blows.

The snowflakes are falling, big brown eyes stare in wonder.

Admiring the beauty of the snowy scene around her.

PHOTO BY: BETH RUPPRECHT, VASSAR, MI

milk messenger / NOV-DEC 2021

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P.O. Box 8002 Novi, MI 48376

MMPA 106TH ANNUAL STATE DELEGATE MEETING THURSDAY, MARCH 24

TAKING CHARGE OF

CHANGE