Michigan Milk Messenger: January 2013

January 2013 Volume 95 Issue 7

Michigan Milk Messenger 1

2 January 2013

January 2013

12

Contents

Volume 95 Issue 7 www.mimilk.com

Features

22

7

Save the Date: MMPA Calf Training Schools

8

Direct Deposit Schedule

9

Novi MMPA Employees Live United

11 Michigan Dairy Ambassador Scholarship and Leadership

Program Seeks 2013 Applicants

28

12 Worth the Wait

Jeff and Courtney Reid ~ District 7 16 MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Dean

Fred Poston 18 2012-13 MMPA Quality Award Winners 22 High School Sweethearts, Lifetime Farmers Ty and Tammy Spicher ~ District 2 25 2012 -13 MMPA Local Meetings 26 2013 MMPA Milker Training Schools 28 The MMPA Novi Lab 30 What’s in Your Milk Quality Playbook?

31 Census Provides Opportunity to Grow the Future of Agriculture

Departments

Managing Editor...................... Sheila Burkhardt Editors........................................... Laura Moser

.................................. Alex Schnabelrauch Advertising Manager.............. Nancy Muszynski Circulation............................................... 4,200

MMPA Matters................................................ 5 Quality Watch.................................................. 6 News & Views.................................................. 8 Legislative Watch............................................ 10 Merchandise Memo........................................ 32 Freeliners........................................................ 34 Classifieds...................................................... 36 Policies........................................................... 37 Market Report................................................ 38 MMPA Lab Lines........................................... 39 MMPA Staff ................................................... 39

An Equal Opportunity Employer – F/M/V/D Michigan Milk Messenger (USPS 345-320) is the official publication of Michigan Milk Producers Association, published monthly since June 1919.

Subscriptions: MMPA members, 50¢ per year; non-members, $5 per year.

41310 Bridge St. P.O. Box 8002 Novi, MI 48376-8002

Telephone: 248-474-6672 FAX: 248-474-0924 Periodical postage paid at Novi, MI and at additional offices.

January 2013 Volume 95 Issue 7

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

(ISSN 0026-2315) Michigan Milk Messenger 1

On the Cover

This month’s cover photo “Here’s Looking at You” was provided by MMPA member Cathy Fry, from Blanchard, Mich. Check out all of her work, at “Misty Morning Photography” on Facebook and the web, www.mistymorning-photography.com Michigan Milk Messenger 3

Michigan Milk Producers Association

Michigan Milk Producers Association, established in 1916, is a member owned and operated dairy cooperative serving approximately 2,200 dairy farmers in Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin and Ohio.

Board of Directors

Officers President: Ken Nobis Vice President: Bob Kran Treasurer: Mark Halbert General Manager/Secretary: Clay Galarneau Ass’t. Treasurer: Joe Diglio General Counsel: David VanderHaagen

Mission Statement

“To market our members’ milk to the greatest advantage possible.”

Directors-At-Large Ken Nobis, St. Johns .........................989-224-6170

or 248-474-6672, ext. 201 Rodney Daniels, Whittemore.............989-756-4935 Mark Halbert, Battle Creek................269-964-0511 District Directors 1. Hank Choate, Cement City...........517-529-9032 2. Tim Hood, Paw Paw....................269-657-5771 4. Dan Javor, Hastings......................269-948-8345 5. Brent Wilson, Carson City............989-584-3481 6. Brad Ritter, Byron........................810-266-4091 7. James Reid, Jeddo........................810-327-6830 8. Leonard Brown, Sandusky............810-648-4505 10. Eric Frahm, Frankenmuth............989-652-3552 11. Bob Kran, Free Soil......................231-464-5889 12. John Kronemeyer, Pickford..........906-647-7638

Advisory Committee District One Brad Hart, Clayton Perry Cisco, Hudson Carlton Evans, Litchfield Glenn Preston, Quincy

517-445-2649 517-547-3231 517-398-0629 517-639-4182

District Six John Hufnagel, Westphalia Anthony Jandernoa, St. Johns Aaron Gasper, Lowell David Reed, Owosso

989-640-1394 989-593-2224 616-897-2747 989-723-8635

District Two Donald Bever, Delton Francis Burr, Mendon Richard Thomas, Middlebury, IN Susan Troyer, Goshen, IN

269-671-5050 269-778-3552 574-825-5198 574-533-4506

District Four David Bivens, Bellevue Jeff Butler, Nashville Mark Crandall, Battle Creek David Lott, Mason

269-758-3980 517-852-1859 269-660-2229 517-676-4593

District Five Tom Jeppesen, Stanton Bill Jernstadt, Big Rapids Robert Lee, Marion Mike Rasmussen, Edmore

4 January 2013

989-762-5399 231-796-4650 231-743-6794 989-762-5380

District Ten John Bennett, Prescott Rod Fowler, Chesaning Scott Kleinhardt, Clare Ken Daniels, Sterling

989-345-4264 989-845-6131 989-386-8037 989-654-2546

District Eleven District Seven Bill Blumerich, Berlin Pat Bolday, Emmett Scott Lamb, Jeddo Chuck White, Fowlerville

810-395-2926 810-395-7139 810-327-6135 517-521-3564

District Eight Mike Bender, Croswell 810-679-4782 Tim Kubacki, Sebewaing 989-883-3249 Dale Phillips, Marlette 989-635-7917 Steve Schulte, Harbor Beach 989-479-9339

Jim Good, Caledonia Frank Konkel, Hesperia David Pyle, Zeeland Bill Stakenas, Free Soil

616-891-1414 231-854-8041 616-772-1512 231-757-9340

District Twelve Robert Barron, Gladstone Ron Lucas, Posen Corby Werth, Alpena Jeremy Werth, Alpena

906-786-7027 989-379-4694 989-379-3772 989-464-4022

MMPA Matters

By Ken Nobis President

Rebirth of the REAL® Seal

T

he New Year is underway, and we can’t help but wonder what 2013 has in store for us. Our thoughts inevitably turn to new events, new products, new ideas - new, new and more new. We become so enamored with the new that we are tempted at times to forget about some old things that served us very well in the past.

The REAL® Seal logo is one such “old” idea that’s new again.

You will be seeing the REAL Seal more frequently during the coming year, because the management of the REAL Seal program was transferred to National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) in March 2012. Part of the NMPF mission is to strive to protect the integrity of dairy products and standards, so connecting the REAL Seal to NMPF makes sense.

The REAL Seal was first used in 1977 when it was developed to indicate that a product was made with honest-to-goodness dairy products. Developed primarily to distinguish pizza made with real dairy cheese from pizza made with imitation “cheese,” use of the REAL Seal rapidly spread beyond the pizza category. The REAL Seal caught on and even today remains one of the most widely recognized symbols in the food industry. NMPF is planning for an early 2013 rollout of a revitalized REAL Seal featuring it on a wider array of dairy products.

Even though the REAL Seal is still familiar to consumers, the complexity of today’s marketplace confirms to me that it is time to polish up the REAL Seal so it can play an expanded role in pointing out what is and what isn’t a real dairy

product. Specific guidelines must be met before permission to use the REAL seal will be granted. The word “milk” obviously has a very high degree of respect and positive image associated with it; if not, why are so many products using it in the name of their non-dairy products? The growing list includes not only soy milk but hemp milk, almond milk, rice milk, coconut milk and others.

Milk is correctly defined as a whitish liquid containing proteins, fats, lactose and various vitamins and minerals that is produced by the mammary glands of all mature female mammals after they have given birth. For anybody involved in the dairy industry, it seems absurd that the label “milk” can be applied to a liquid produced by grinding seeds with water. You would think the inaccurate usage should be illegal; however, due to the already long-term misapplied usage, that horse (or cow) is out of the barn.

I’m not disrespecting the various products themselves but rather simply the use of “milk” in their product identification. Even though it is said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, this is one compliment that we can live without.

An obvious way to highlight that these products are not dairy products is with greater usage of the REAL Seal across the entire dairy product category, not just pizza. You may have already noticed billboards along major highways in Michigan featuring the use of the REAL Seal with multiple dairy products. The billboard campaign is brought to us by the United Dairy Industry of Michigan, probably the first dairy

check-off group to put the new REAL Seal program into action.

I had a personal experience a year ago that was an eye opener and underscores the need for this type of increased exposure. I was talking with an individual who is familiar with dairy products and dairy issues, though not directly involved in the dairy industry. In the course of our conversation this person congratulated the dairy industry on the use of the term “Muscle Milk.”

He didn’t realize that “Muscle Milk” contains no milk, and I can understand the misconception.

Unless you are a devoted label reader (like my wife), you probably would glance at the label and automatically assume it is a dairy product. While the name “Muscle Milk” cleverly disguises a non-dairy product, I think some other items are also confused with milk at times, even though the source of the liquid (such as rice or soy) is on the label.

Dairy farmers have always had a high opinion of the REAL Seal, and I think we will confirm that consumers share this opinion, once they are reminded of its significance.

It is another tool to help shoppers differentiate among the many products on the grocery store shelves so that they can make informed decisions about what they are purchasing.

I think that expanding the use of the REAL Seal will bring positive results for consumers and for dairy producers. Now let’s hold on to our hats as we learn what else 2013 has in store for us.

Michigan Milk Messenger 5

Quality Watch

By Dean

By Dean LetterLetter

MMPA Manager of Producer Testing Director of Member Services and Herd Health Programs

Congratulations to all Quality Award Winners

F

or the last 14 years, MMPA has honored its members with three levels of quality awards: bronze, silver and gold. This local meeting season, MMPA will honor its members with 351 bronze awards, 145 silver awards and 34 gold awards.

Each year, the list of MMPA Quality Award winners continues to grow. Since most members meet the raw and pre-incubated bacteria criteria, improving somatic cell counts (SCC) contributed greatly to the growing number of quality awards. The improving SCCs on member farms are also reflected in continual improvement in year-overyear SCCs at the association level.

In fact, 2012 marks the first year in MMPA history where the co-op average SCC did not exceed 200,000 for any individual month. This is very impressive considering the challenge this past summer’s oppressive heat presented to members.

In addition to recognition at the local meetings, some MMPA members are honored for their excellent milk quality at the national level. Annually, the National Mastitis Council (NMC) honors the bestof-the-best in milk quality. As of this month’s magazine deadline, the award winners have not been announced, but I believe MMPA will be well represented. Look to the January 10th issue of the Hoard’s Dairyman for a list of winners.

For those wishing to improve their milk quality, MMPA can be a valuable partner. MMPA provides an assortment of services geared to helping members meet their shortand long-term milk quality goals.

Information is the key to developing

6 January 2013

a plan to reach a goal. Various quality tests available from the MMPA Novi Laboratory can be used to troubleshoot and monitor equipment, udder sanitation and screen for common mastitis pathogens.

MMPA member representatives know how to develop sampling strategies and can interpret test results to develop an action plan to achieve quality goals. This is particularly valuable for members striving to lower their bulk tank SCC.

The first step to develop a mastitis management plan is to identify the pathogen(s). Screening may occur at the Novi laboratory and/or the Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health (DCPAH). These screening results can help identify possible areas of concern on the farm.

Mastitis management plans are developed using a number of different factors such as stage of lactation of the initial infection, number of new infections, number of “chronic” infections, changes in udder health over a “dry” period, housing and milking equipment evaluations, udder prep evaluations, teat end scoring and the list continues.

Some of this information is based on farm records, meaning the information is only as good as the available records on the farm.

Maintaining good animal health records makes it much easier to develop an effective mastitis management plan.

Many of the quality award winners monitor udder health very closely. Through DHI, or other similar testing programs, producers identify cows that may have a mastitis

issue. Based on the farm’s herd health plan, they may monitor these cows for a few days to see if they recover on their own (some do).

Others will culture the elevated SCC quarter and treat the quarter based on culture results and severity of infections (as their herd health plan dictates). The key is to quickly identify cows with a possible infection and to effectively deal with those infections promptly.

Many members recognize that cleaning and sanitizing teats and teat ends is very important to preventing new cases of mastitis.

Since 1996, MMPA provided its members an opportunity to attend a “Milker Training School” (MTS).

Since inception, over 4000 people have attended these schools. MTS emphasizes the importance of udder sanitation along with the timing of certain steps in the udder prep procedure.

Using optimal udder prep timing has been shown to improve milking speed by more effectively utilizing the oxytocin cows produce naturally.

MMPA hosts formal MTSs annually through February and March. The dates and locations of the 2013 schools are posted in this Messenger.

Please contact Marianne Gasiewski at the Novi Office if you wish to attend one of the schools.

Congratulations to those members who earned a quality award this year. I hope to see even more quality award winners next year.

Members can get more details on MMPA’s member services by calling their member representative or the Novi office.

Save the Date: MMPA Calf Training Schools As many of you know, the National Dairy FARM Program recommends farms document all employee training for new and existing employees on an annual basis. To help fulfill this recommendation, MMPA and Land O’Lakes Animal Milk Products Co. are offering calf training schools Feb. 12-14, 2013 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The classroom style meeting is limited to 25, so reserve your spot early!

Preserve & Protect

Three dates and locations offered: • February 12 at Brentwood (in Caro, Michigan) • February 13 at the Clinton County RESA (in St. Johns, Michigan) • February 14 at the Holiday Inn (in Big Rapids, Michigan) To register, contact Marianne Gasiewski at the Novi office (800572-5824 ext. 215). Please be ready to provide your farm information, desired school, phone number and the number of people attending.

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Michigan Milk Messenger 7

News & Views The latest dairy news

Direct Deposit Schedule Class III Nears $21 The November Class III price fell 19 cents from October, settling at $20.83. That’s $1.76 higher than last year. The Class II price is up 37 cents to $18.81, and the Class IV price is up 12 cents to $18.66.

However, according to the USDA’s latest report, the cost-of-production (COP) estimate for 100 pounds of milk is at an all time high of $20.56/cwt., over $10/cwt. of which coming from purchased feed.

Register for the Livestock Forage and Grain Forum Registration is now open for the 2013 Livestock Forage and Grain Forum, to be held in Indianapolis at the JW Marriott on Monday, February 11, 2013. Visit http:// bit.ly/hUGSD8 for complete information and to register today!

At 2 p.m., the Indiana Dairy Producers (IDP) will hold their annual meeting. After a short business meeting, the featured speaker, Dr. Candace Croney – a world-renowned animal behavior specialist from Purdue University – will discuss current animal welfare issues in the dairy industry.

Cost is $50 per person, including lunch. If you choose to attend only the IDP annual meeting, there is no registration cost.

The MMPA direct deposit program provides for the direct deposit of your net milk proceeds to your bank account through the use of a secure electronic funds transfer system. This system assures the timely deposit of funds on the dates listed below and eliminates the need for monthly trips to the bank.

The direct deposit service is free to MMPA members. Members on direct deposit still receive their check statement by mail. The statement is the same as the one attached to the milk check. The direct deposit stub of the statement indicates the amount transferred into the member’s bank account.

If you are interested in simplifying your banking and signing up for direct deposit or desire more information, please contact the MMPA Member Services Department at 800-572-5824.

Settlement Dates Processed Through JP Morgan Chase Calendar Year 2013 January 17 January 25

February 19 February 26

March 18 March 26

April 17 April 26

May 17 May 28

June 17 June 26

Tuesday Tuesday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Friday Friday Tuesday Monday Wednesday

July 17 July 26

August 19 August 26

September 17 September 26

October 17 October 25

November 18 November 26

December 17 December 26

Wednesday Friday Monday Monday Tuesday Thursday Thursday Friday Monday Tuesday Tuesday Thursday

Upcoming Events January

Local meetings continue 30

8 January 2013

Thursday Friday

MMPA Resolutions Committee Meeting –Novi

Novi MMPA Employees Live United

N

ovi employees participated in the United Way campaign throughout the month of October raising $7,500. In addition to approximately 70 percent of employees making a personal donation to the United Way, 45 employees participated in one or more of the fundraising events, including: three Michigan State and University of Michigan football pools, a used book sale, two fundraiser lunches and a pancake breakfast provided by the accounting department. Employees had the chance to designate which county, need area and nonprofit would receive their donation, making the campaign even more personal. Take a look and see what a couple of our co-op employees have to say about the United Way!

“I contribute to the United Way program because it’s a very easy, convenient way to do something charitable. MMPA makes it easy to participate by allowing us to use a payroll deduction and multiple options in regards to the amount and frequency of the donation.

Contributing to the United Way is an efficient way to help more people. With their 60-year history in my community, I know they will spend my gift wisely. ” – Carl Rasch, MMPA Director of Milk Sales

“Bringing people together for a common cause is always a good thing and that is why I like to help out with the festivities as well as contributing to United Way. I really enjoyed getting a chance to talk to people around the office that I don’t typically see day-to-day. The football squares started a conversation about strategy.

Although none of my strategies worked, it was about starting a conversation on a common topic and raising money for a good cause.”

– Therese Tierney, Sales Accounting Analyst

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Legislative Watch Issues important to today’s dairy farmers

Signing of Russian PNTR legislation sets stage for reopening market to U.S. dairy

U

.S. dairy suppliers have been shut out of the Russian market since September 2010. But President Obama’s Dec. 14 signing of legislation granting permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) to Russia represents a major step toward reopening business with one of the world’s largest dairy buyers.

The president’s action followed successful bipartisan votes by the House and Senate in the lame-duck session of Congress that began Nov. 13. The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) had actively supported PNTR for Russia and applauded the government’s actions to put the bill into law.

“Without PNTR, Russia couldn’t be compelled to apply its World Trade Organization (WTO) commitments to the United States,” said USDEC President Tom Suber.

“PNTR means the United States can now utilize the full WTO toolbox to help resolve issues blocking U.S. dairy trade. It also means Russia has a reason to return to the bargaining table to find a compromise to their export certification and plant inspection demands that triggered the ban in the first place.”

USDEC and NMPF have worked extensively with the U.S. government for years to resolve certification issues with Russian authorities and to help provide a firm basis for restoring access for U.S. dairy exporters, but talks broke down in the shadow of the PNTR issue.

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Michigan Dairy Ambassador Scholarship and Leadership Program Seeks 2013 Applicants

M

ichigan high school and college students who are interested in pursuing a career in the dairy industry have until Jan. 8 to apply for the 2013 Michigan Dairy Ambassador Scholarship and Leadership Program. The annual program awards two scholarships, one to a junior winner and another to a senior winner.

The senior division is reserved for college students up to age 22, with the winner receiving a $1,500 scholarship. The junior division is limited to high school students in grades nine to 12, and the winner receives $1,000 that can be applied toward higher education or the purchase of a dairy animal within the upcoming year.

Applicants are not required to have a dairy farm background, but they must plan to pursue a career related to the dairy industry, such as a farm owner, dietician, agribusiness person, veterinarian, food scientist or researcher. The scholarship program is funded through a benefit auction held at the annual Great Lakes Regional Dairy Conference (GLRDC).

Currently, Britney Zondlak, MSU dairy management and agribusiness student and native of Byron Center, is serving as the 2012 senior Michigan dairy ambassador. “As an ambassador I’ve been involved with events like the ‘I Milked a Cow’ booth, passing out chocolate milk at the Lansing Christian School 5K race and giving away dairy promotional items at both the Clinton County Fit Fest and MSU Autumn Fest. The greatest lesson I will take away from this year is patience and perseverance; you cannot expect to change everyone’s attitude toward the industry overnight,” Britney says.

Kailey Sweers, a freshman at Hope College who was originally from Dansville, is the 2012 junior Michigan dairy ambassador.

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In exchange for the scholarship, the ambassadors represent the Michigan dairy industry at a variety of educational, industrial and promotional events held across the state during the year. Ambassadors also have numerous opportunities to build leadership skills, begin focusing on career options and network with potential mentors and employers.

Students interested in applying for the 2013 Michigan Dairy Ambassador Scholarship and Leadership Program can download an application from www.glrdc.msu.edu or contact Megghan Honke at (517) 353-3175, ext. 229. Applications must be submitted electronically to honkemeg@anr. msu.edu and will be accepted until Jan. 8.

The DuPont Oval Logo is a registered trademark of DuPont. ® TM SM , , Trademarks and service marks of Pioneer.

All purchases are subject to the terms of labeling and purchase documents. © 2012 PHII. CRNSL025897P360MVA

CRNSL025897_P360M_VA.indd 1

9/28/12 3:16 PM

Michigan Milk Messenger 11

Worth the Wait Jeff and Courtney Reid ~ District 7

By Alex Schnabelrauch

W

aiting is never easy. Whether it’s waiting for a spring field to dry enough for planting, standing in line at the supermarket’s self check-out or checking the mailbox for the milk check, it seems like the world doesn’t always operate on our timetable. “Tell us about it,” commiserate District seven OYDCs Jeff and Courtney Reid.

“It took four years and a few tough decisions to work our way back to the home farm. At the time, it seemed like an eternity,” Jeff recalls.

The couple agrees, returning to Reid Dairy Farm took a healthy dose of patience. But that’s not the only part of their story that involves timewithstanding endurance.

The Indirect Route Growing up, Jeff helped his father, Jim Reid, manage the family’s dairy 12 January 2013

operation. “After high school I took some basic prerequisite classes at St. Clair Community College and worked on the farm. When I turned 20, my dad told me to go out into the ‘real world’ and experience jobs off the farm,” Jeff tells.

So he spent a year working at an auto parts factory in Port Huron where, for 10-12 hours a day, he did the same repetitive job over-and-over.

“And I hated every minute of it,” he states.

At 21, he found a new “real world” job working for a beer distributor stacking shelves at local grocery stores. With limited hours and no opportunity for advancement, Jeff realized, yet again, this job wasn’t for him.

“In 2007, I sat down with my dad and told him that I wanted to come back to the farm fulltime. I

didn’t want another job; I wanted to be my own boss. My dad had a tough decision to make: retire or expand to accommodate two families. For anyone who knows my dad, we weren’t surprised when he opted to double the herd so I could come back to the farm,” Jeff smiles.

The wait was finally over! Or so he thought.

At the start of 2010, Jeff was back working on the farm, recently engaged and looking towards the next step of his life. That was until his dad started encouraging him to go back to school. He remembers, “At first I was skeptical; I wanted to work, not go back to school. Plus I was older. All my friends had already graduated and moved on to fulltime jobs. But enrolling in MSU’s Dairy Management Program is probably the best decision I’ve ever made.”

A member of Farmhouse Fraternity, Jeff appreciated being around other passionate agriculturalists. Even though Jeff thought he knew everything there was to know about dairy, his program of study was “eye opening” and offered skills and knowledge Jeff continues to utilize on the farm today.

He graduated in the fall of 2011 and, finally, returned to the farm permanently. But that’s just half of the story!

I Do… In Six Months Jeff and Courtney went to high school together, but were definitely not high school sweethearts. “I got a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Central Michigan University and was going to move to New York City and live the city life,” Courtney explains.

After college, she returned to Port Huron looking for a job. That’s when Jeff and Courtney reconnected and, after just seven months of dating, got engaged. “Why wait if you know it’s the real thing?” she beams.

Courtney eventually found a job, in spite of the economic downturn, working at a daycare. She explains, “But you can’t pay back student loans and pay for a wedding on minimum wage.”

That’s when life took another wait-causing turn. Courtney continues, “My younger sister was joining the army and convinced me to go to the recruiting office with her. The health benefits, student loan repayments and a position where I could put my degree to use sold me!

I enlisted and they told me to prepare to leave for basic training in March.”

The hitch? The Reids’ dream wedding was already planned for the following November... Not wanting to wait, they had a small wedding ceremony for close family and friends on March 3, 2011. Two weeks later, Courtney left for six months of training. Talk about cutting the honeymoon short.

Pictured above: Jeff is a fourth generation farmer and helps manage employees on his parent’s farm. (Lower left) Jeff and Courtney were married in 2011, two weeks before she began basic training with the U.S. Army. (Lower right) Along with managing the farm’s cow care, breeding and nutrition, Jeff spends time in the office utilizing the farm’s Select Detect software to improve conception rates.

For the first three months, Courtney could only call home on Sunday for one 10-minute conversation. She affirms, “Tough is an understatement. But, when I got back, we had our big dream wedding on 11-11-11. Now, I’m a civil affairs specialist in the United States Army and help provide for my family while serving my country.”

aide at Landmark Academy in Kimball and has four years left in her Army contract. She spends one weekend each month with her military unit and has two weeks of training in the summer. And although she’s relatively new to agriculture, she enthusiastically admits, “I never, ever thought I’d live in the country for the rest of my life. Now, I’m glad I do!”

Courtney is a 1st grade teacher’s

Continued on page 14 Michigan Milk Messenger 13

Continued from page 13 The Great Reward

After many patient years of waiting, the Reids are enjoying their well-deserved “happily ever after.”

Jeff works as herdsman at his parent’s (Jim and Pam) farm in Jeddo where they milk 205 cows in a single 17 parlor and operate 1,100 acres of corn, soybeans, wheat and alfalfa.

Jeff ’s day starts with the 4:45 to 8:30 a.m. morning milking. After breakfast, he heads back to the farm to feed the cows. By noon, he’s sorting cows, cleaning pens, treating and breeding cows, managing employees, doing field work and planning rations.

Reid Dairy Farm participates in the National Dairy FARM Program and is also MAEAP certified in livestock and cropping systems. The farm also added 96 solar panels in 2010 which provide 30 percent of the operation’s energy.

In the future, Jeff hopes to expand the herd and build new facilities to increase efficiency. But at the moment, the only herd growing is their children with the recent addition of baby Henry James in July. Jeff also has an eight-year-old son, Andrew James, who enjoys spending time on the farm with his dad and grandpa.

A fourth generation farmer, getting back to the farm was worth the wait. Jeff wraps-up, “There’s nothing like working on a dairy farm. Every morning I wake up to something new. Even if I work a 12, 14, 16 hour day, it doesn’t bother me because being a dairy farmer seems more like a way of life than a job.”

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Great Lakes Regional Dairy Conference February 7-9 Bavarian Inn and Conference Center Frankenmuth, MI

Here’s a sampling of what you’ll hear: • Hear from the Godfather of rBst Dale Bauman about balancing

technologies, society’s acceptance of technology and the future of the dairy industry. How do you fit in this puzzle?

• Wonder how you’re going to feed your cows this year? Everyone’s

favorite dairy cattle nutritionist Mike Hutjens tells how to apply the lessons learned on both the local and national levels this past year and takes a look at the opportunities that may be around the corner.

• Learn how producers just like you from around the state and across the nation are making calf raising a profitable component of their dairies.

Great Lakes Regional Dairy Conference serving the dairy industry since 2003

• What’s new in producing quality milk? Learn why prevention is the

best medicine when it comes to treating cows and how to incorporate that doctrine into your herd health program from Drs. Ron Erskine and Roger Thompson.

• Got cheese? Hear from the “Big Cheese” at Domino’s and how they’ve built an innovative partnership with the Dairy Check-off program.

Learn what has been accomplished together and, more importantly, what they are planning for the future.

• Fresh cows have specific nutritional needs. Discover what you can do

to ensure achieving peak performance from yours from Tom Overton.

• Financial guru Gary Sipiorski shares tips on surviving and thriving in

the new global dairy industry and discover what unique challenges await the dairy industry in 2013.

•Attend your choice of Friday afternoon workshops from succession planning or social media and telling your farm’s story to a comprehensive robotic comparison panel.

www.glrdc.msu.edu Michigan Milk Messenger 15

Q&A with MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Dean Fred Poston

A

s of January 1, 2013, a familiar face returned to the helm of the Michigan State University (MSU) College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR), Dr. Fred Poston. Poston served as CANR dean from 1991 to 1998 during which time he guided the $74.1 million Revitalization of Michigan Animal Agriculture project to completion, created the $6.2 million Project GREEEN (Generating Research and Extension to meet Economic and Environmental Needs) and developed the Partnership for Co-System Research and Management with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Great Lakes Fishery Commission.

He’s served as vice president for finance and operations and treasurer for MSU since 1999. Poston’s previous job titles included director of the Washington State University’s Cooperative Extension Service and associate dean of agriculture and home economics, entomology faculty member at Kansas State University and associate director of Kansas Cooperative Extension Service.

Originally from Florida, Poston earned a bachelor’s degree from West Texas State University and graduate degrees from Iowa State University.

Poston has celebrated 44 years of marriage with “the rock of [his] life,” wife Charlotte. Both are looking forward to coming back to the college where his MSU career began.

We caught up with Dean Poston just ahead of the holidays to get his take on coming back to CANR and the college’s future outlook.

16 January 2013

Photo Credit: MSU University Relations

What motivated you to return to CANR? Poston: It’s my heritage for one thing. My previous term in CANR marked a fantastic part of my career where we productively worked with industry representatives including Elwood Kirkpatrick, former MMPA president.

When I heard they were searching for a new dean, I was excited for a new, young face with new ideas to improve our college. As the process continued and the first search didn’t yield a candidate everyone could get excited about, I approached President Simon. I couldn’t watch my old college flop on the bank!

She was reluctant, but eventually she agreed, “CANR means more to me than the problem you’ll create by leaving the Executive Office.”

Coming back to your first position at MSU, what are you most excited about?

Poston: The more I’ve talked to the faculty and industry

representatives, the more excited I am to come back!

I’m most excited to reacquaint myself with agriculture and the college itself while reconnecting with industry stakeholders.

What is your tie to agriculture? MSU? Poston: My grandpa was a farmer, and my dad was in

the air force. Every summer, no matter where we were living, I went back to my grandpa’s farm to work. But when my dad decided against returning to the farm and my grandpa sold out, I got interested in pest management.

After multiple degrees and jobs at various universities, a great mentor – Gordon Guyer – encouraged me to apply for the MSU CANR dean position. When they offered me the position in 1991, MSU was one of the top three ag colleges in the nation. It was like I got asked to play on the A-team.

I’m tickled to death they want me back. I’ve missed students and working with the agriculture industry, and I’m thankful I get to end my career doing something I love.

What do you hope to bring to CANR and to your position as dean?

Poston: I’ve got to set some goals – short-term goals – to

Our college is unique in that it derives its strength from outside individuals.

Relationships with these outside supporters need to be fortified and grown to ensure our future success.

It will be exciting to put together multi-dimensional packages that serve several stakeholders, including the State of Michigan and other colleges at MSU.

Where does dairy fit ?

Poston: Dairy is one of the largest segments in

Michigan’s already booming agricultural industry. We’re not going to get very far down the road if dairy, Michigan agriculture, CANR and MSU aren’t on the same page. I’m looking forward to sitting down with Ken Nobis and other producers to figure out what life looks like outside their window and decide how MSU can best serve Michigan dairies.

Bottom line: at the end of your tenure as dean, what will be your definition of success?

Poston: Finding a new, young, energetic dean with tons of new ideas to replace me. My goal is to put the college in the best position to make that happen.

The first time I came to MSU, I was amazed because I had never been to a place where the planets aligned like they did 21 years ago. There were (and are) so many prominent, respected people investing their time into making sure the college evolves in a way that will benefit the industry.

We are facing more sophisticated problems than we did in 1855 and the way we serve farmers and disseminate information has changed. But, my goal is to still give industry stakeholders the same feeling of input and collaboration MSU has been known for since the Morrill Act. If we can regain industry engagement, we can get back to our Land Grant Mission.

highlight the success of the college and attract a long-term dean to replace me in two to three years. I like problem solving and there are plenty of issues we’ll have to resolve before moving forward. I have to get people back on the same page and pulling in the same direction.

Michigan Milk Messenger 17

2012-13 MMPA Qua

During local meetings, MMPA will present quality awards to 530 member farms in recognition of their outstanding quality milk production.

Bronze, silver and gold quality awards will be presented to those members who met the established criteria for each award.

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 will be presented to those members who met the same criteria as in the bronze award category for 12 months out of the previous fiscal year. Members who qualified to receive a Gold award 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.

Star Awards will be presented to those members who have received a quality award for five (one star), ten (two stars) and fifteen (three stars) consecutive years.

Adrian Local Gold Matthew Smith * Silver N. Randy & Eric Bleich Timothy D Brasher Hartland Farms Inc. Shadland Dairy Farms LLC Vissers Dairy LLC Bronze Perry Cisco Emmons Farms LLC Freedom Meadows LLC Martinline LLC Marvin Farms Inc. Terry L Norden Steven Schrenk Whelan Farms

Alma Local Gold De Grins Oer Dairy ** Kevin & Ronald Litwiller Spring Lake Farms LLC Silver Bebow Dairy Inc. * Ronald & Louis Brecht Double-B Dairy Edwin & Joel Ensz Friesen Farms Inc. * Hooks Farms * Kent L. Inniger Jeff & Larry Nielsen Paulen Farms Inc. Pine Hills Dairy LLC Kenneth Vredenburg William Hough Dairy Inc.* Bronze A. G. Wiles

18 January 2013

Bebow Dairy Inc. Bruce Carey Arland & Ruby Carter Chapin Family Farm LLC Leonard Doolittle Dragt Farms Basil Ervin Jr. Troy Haynes Richard D. Hyde Bruce A. Litwiller Ryan J. Litwiller * Charles & Jeffory Misenhelder Oberlin Farms ** Albern Olson Doeke & Melissa Prins S & T Farms PTP TLC Dairy VanderPloeg Holsteins LLC

Halbert Dairy Farm LLC Margro Farms

Barry-Eaton Local

Bronze Jerry L. Blatt Fischer Dairy Farm Goma Dairy Farms LLC Muxlow Dairy Farm Andrew, Bob, Daniel & Jeffrey Parr * David Shoemaker

Silver Chase Crest Hill Farms Thomas & Heather Wing Bronze Burdock Hills Dairy LLC Brent & Nina Butler Endsley Dairy Farms LLC Hammond Dairy Farm LLC Jonathan G. Hochstetler Ladine Farms Andrew, Kevin, Leonard & Maxine Pixley Schuurmans Dairy Farm

Battle Creek-Homer Local Gold Crandall Dairy Farm LLC Bronze Cary Dairy Farms Inc. Wayne Cornell

Blossomland Local Gold Gordon & Floyd Nesbitt Silver Howard Payne Bronze Chad Carpenter Gamble Family Jerry, Jerry & Terry Koebel

Brown City-Marlette Local Silver Cumper Dairy Farms Dwight Radloff Rick L. Sutton

Chippewa County Local Silver David & Tammy Bell Bronze Taylor Creek Farm LLC

Clare-Mt. Pleasant Local Silver Martin C. Fox * House Dairy LLC Donald Kuehl Sr. & Family

Bronze William M. Byler Clark Dairy Farm LLC Elton F. Dubois Jack Evans * Gross Dairy Farms Inc. Jenkins Farms LLC Judge Dairy Farm Inc. ** Le Var Farms LLC Jonas Y. Miller Packard Farms LLC Pohl Dairy Farm Inc. Eli E. Shrock Timothy I. Swarey

Constantine Local Gold Daniel A. Bontrager Olen J. Fry Larry M. Hershberger Freeman E. Yutzy Carl Zook Silver Abe L. Bontrager Alvin D. Bontrager Milton D. Bontrager Philip D. Bontrager Vernon A. & Vernon V. Hochstetler Ernest L. Mast Glen F. Miller Leroy E. Miller Paul W. Miller Vernon E Miller Mybrook Farms Dorvin Shaum Michael R. Stoltzfus * David E. Yoder Lyle D. Yoder

ality Award Winners Bronze David J. Beechy Jonathon Bontrager Ervin L. Eash James & Sarah Delagrange Jake R. Eicher John E. Eicher David K. Fisher Delmar J. Fry * Michael M. Graber Brent High Ira L. Hochstetler Lavern J. Kurtz Howard F. Lambright Jeremiah & Esther Lambright Richard O. Lambright Stephen H. Lambright Ervin J. Lehman Jerry D. Lehman Leland F. Lehman Maynard & Laura Lehman Alva Lengacher David L. Mast David R. Mast Calvin F. Miller Clyde S. Miller David E. Miller David H. Miller Lavern D. Miller Raymond L. Miller Steven D. Miller Vernon E. Miller Vernon R. Miller Wilbur P. Miller Wayne I. Mullet Henry J. Mullett David and Carolyn Nissley Lavern C. Nissley Perkins Twin Creek Farm Inc. Marvin M. Shrock Jerry C. Slabach South Prairie Dairy Allen Troyer Maynard O. Troyer Mervin & Susan Troyer Darrel D. Yoder Dennis M. Yoder Devon Ray Yoder

Harvey J. Yoder Paul D. Yoder Phillip, Esther & Nathan Yoder Raymond D. Yoder Toby E. Yoder Verlin J. Yoder Virgil D. Yoder Wakiana Dairy Inc. Jacob W. Weaver John R. Weaver Rufus B. Zimmerman

Dairyland Local Gold Wilson Centennial Farm Silver Mervin G. Dailey Anson K. Martin Leroy O. and Ella M. Zimmerman Bronze D & J Dairy LLC Ammon R. Martin Moriaty Farms Titus B. Zimmerman

Deckerville Local Silver Dallas Family Farms * Erdman Farms Bronze James M. Adler * Steven R. Boice Brian & Bradley Booms Edward Joe Lawler Lee’s Dairy Farm LLC Carl W. Sanford

Deford/Clifford-Mayville Local Silver Calvin J. Bodeis Meadow Muth Farms LLC Keith & Jane Wood

Bronze William E. Maasch Mohr Valley Dairy Farm Inc. Alice Zajac

Flint Local Silver Apple Dairy Corp.

K & K Kern Farms LLC *

Evart Local Gold Michael L. Bosscher ** Harold, Matthew, Michael, & Robert Cnossen ** Keith A. DeRuiter Mark F. Diemer Dick Haven Farms LLC * Harold & Ruth Ann Dodde End Road Farm Sunny Side Dairy Silver Benthem Homestead Farms Inc. Dale A. Brinks Buning Dairy Farm LLC Daniel DeZeeuw David L. DeZeeuw ** Leon Hamming * Star City Farm * Jonathan Lee Taylor Wirth Farms LLC Zuiderveen Farms *

Bronze Cole Riverview Farms Inc. Smolek Farms ** Duane R. Wagner Weil Dairy Farm

Frankenmuth Local Silver Petzold Dairy Farms LLC Richard Wardin *** Wardin Brothers Bronze Everett William Bone Eric J. Frahm Fowler Dairy Haubenstricker Dairy Farm LLC John, Larry & Ronald Keinath Krafft Farms LLC Larry Niec Farms LLC Roger Weiss & Family Schiefer Farms LLC

Grand Rapids Local

Bronze Aris Dairy Farm LLC Pete & Pam Bontekoe BWT Farms LLC Gaylord Denslow Gilde Farms LLC Kerwin J. Hamming Chris & Denise Harris Lee’s Woodland Farm Many Blessings Dairy Inc. Jerry J. Mitchell Rudvan Family Farms LLC William Stein Kenneth & Carol Tebos Van Polen Farms Zuiderveen Farms

Gold Sharlene & Marten Brower Silver Fisk Farms * Kenneth Leseman Potgeter Farms James Schaendorf * Joel S. Starr Stoney Hill Farm Inc. Bronze Byma Dairy LLC Cressbrook Farms ** Stephen & Denise Knox Med-O-Bloom Farms LLC Lance Robinson Mark & Cheryl Richmond T & G Dairy LLC

* Five consecutive years ** Ten consecutive years *** Fifteen consecutive years Michigan Milk Messenger 19

2012-13 MMPA Qua Hillman Local

Huron Local

Jackson County Plus Local

Gold Clinton Briley

Gold J&M Block Farms LLC

Silver Christensen Farms Todd Hemmingson Sauer Dairy Farms Inc. Skudlarel Dairy Farm Joseph P. Zbytowski

Silver Neal Laeder David J. Leavine Joseph & Valerie Kubacki Oak River Farm Paramount Enterprises Dairy LLC Fred Wisneski * Zielland Farms

Bronze Choate’s Belly Acres Grand Valley Farms * Hillside Dairy Farms Howe Farms

Bronze Butterwerth Dairy Farm LLC Brian Centala Chippewa Dairy LLC * Dellar Dairy LLC Robert Hemmingson J & D Dairy Inc. Jason & Mary Catherine Dellar & John Jagelewski Wilbur Miller Melvin Mullet Richard & June Oliver Risky Endeavor Dairy Galen Schalk Myron Siegert Julianne Soik Sweet Farms Inc. Fred, Corby & Cody Werth Eric & Janel Woodward Ervin Lee Yoder * Vernon D. Yoder

Hillsdale-Litchfield Local Silver Christopher & Beth Brenner ** Drakeland Farms LLC Richard & Patricia Hawkins Poling Dairy Farm Bronze Dale & Carol Baker Denningsons Farms Easterday Dairy Farm Fairfield Stock Farm Ferry Farms Pleasant View Dairy * Ronald & Susan Rusk

20 January 2013

Bronze Darrin Lutz Farms Inc. Alvin L. Gnagey Highland Dairy LLC * John C. Richmond & Sons Dairy Farm Timothy J. Kubacki William C. Mazure Gregory, Shelly & Ashley Messing Paul G. Leipprandt & Sons Inc. Peyerk Brothers Dairy LLC Prime Land Farm Rose Valley Dairy LLC S & M Dairy Inc. Richard Schroeder Starward Farm Allen & Pamela Stiles Daniel Van Erp Te Voortwis Dairy LLC

Ingham County Local Gold Kevin Cavanaugh Silver Ron Launstein David Lyon Bronze Clona Farms LLC Fogle Farms Kubiak Family Farms Mar Jo Lo Farms Risch Farms * Larry L. Steffey

Silver Riske Farms John & Andrew Sweet Williams Family Farm LLC *

Kalamazoo Local Gold Webers Meadow LLC Silver DeMann Farms LLC Louis Fifelski Andrew W. Johnson Melvin T. Puschel Scales Prairie Farm Bronze Francis L. Burr Tim & Charles Hood & Tamara Spicher James C. Jackson K & W Dairy Penney Farms Rodney & Claude Pillars Ransler Farms Ver Hage Dairy Farm Victor Puschel

Lansing Local Silver MSU Dairy - Dept. of Animal Science Bronze Wayne & Marvin Hochstetler Chris, Kristina, Hans & Patricia Langmaack Lyon Farm LLC Clark & Dannon Reeder

Livingston Charter Local Silver Ives Farms Charles & Janet White

Bronze Clarinda Farms LLC Donal Farm LLC George & Hope Fyrciak

Menominee-Vacationland Local Silver Waucedah Hill Farm LLC Bronze Eastview Johnson Farms LLC Getz-Milk Dairy LLC Kraniak Brothers Brad, Michelle & Kaitlyn

Pellegrini Karen Ann & John Strohl Van De Walle Farms LLC

Mid-Michigan Local Gold Berlyn Acres II LLC Steven C. Roth * Silver Cook Dairy Farm Cornerstone II Dairy LLC Dutch Meadows Dairy LLC Andrew J. Feldpausch George Grecu III Michael T. Hogan Houska Farms Inc. Lew-Max Holstein LLC ** Miller Bros. Inc. Sanborn & Sons LLC Leroy & Stephanie Schafer Gene L. Schneider Steven H. Simon Steenblik Dairy Inc. ** Stony Creek Dairy LLC Stout Dairy Cliff & Kent Thelen * Aron W. Whitaker * Wieber Dairy LLC Bronze John & Kelly Carter Clintonia Road Dairy LLC Evergreen Dairy Incorporated Green Meadow Farms Inc.

ality Award Winners Green Meadow Farms Inc. H & K Dairy LLC Terri & Rick Hawbaker George & Shirley Hazle Alan J. Miller Nobis Dairy Farms Peckins Farms LLC Melvin & Pamela Pohl Riverview Dairy LLC David & Gordon Schrader Chris J. Simon Larry A. Simon T & H Dairy II Gary T. Thelen Jeffry & Patricia Thelen Jon & Tina Thelen Wadell Dairy Farm LLC Lisa M. Wilson Kenneth & Sandra Wyrick

Mid-Sanilac Local Silver Brown Brothers Sharrard Farms LLC Bronze Steven & Lisa Alexander David & James Heberling Frederick & Candice Inbody Timothy Mater M.K.D. Noll Dairy Farm Inc. Harland, Gale & David Schultz Triple M Farms David M. Varosi Welter Dairy Farms LLC

Muskegon Local Gold Donald A. Beattie Stakenas Farms Inc. Sueann M. Higgins Silver Dewey Farm LLC * Bruce A. Majeske Powers Dairy Farm LLC Silver Sky Dairy LLC * Slater Farms John & Kathryn Troyer

Udder Pressure LLC Diane, Gary & Karen Wolford Bronze Tom W. Barends Beuschel Fruit & Dairy LLC Carson Acres LLC ** Dan Mauer Dairy LLC Roger J. Deters Doug & Shelly Ekkel and Family JMax-Pell LLC Koppenol Dairy Farms Inc. Larsen Farms Heidi L. Lombard Joseph & Evelyn May Norris Dairy Farm Inc. Gail A. Olsen Richard Papes Riverside Dairy LLC Slater Farms 88th LLC Slowpoke Farm LLC Stroven Dairy Farm * Sunglow Dairy LLC ** Thurow Farms LLC Albert Lee Tiles Udderside Dairy LLC David VanderZanden ** Theodore M. Wolschlager Windy Acres Dairy Farm

Owosso Local Silver Ritter Farms LLC Bronze James, James & John Anibal Braid Farms Inc. Reed Dairy Farm LLC Sandhill Dairy LLC David Sovis Jason Szakal

Saline-Ann Arbor Local Silver Breuninger Farms LLC Horning Farms LLC Stanley & Patricia Lambarth

Bronze Marcus S. Bristle Marion & Marianne Mishler

St. Clair-Macomb-Lapeer Local Silver Lester, Barbara & Susan Knust Reid Dairy Farm LLC Donald Slesinski Richard W. Zacharias

West Michigan Local Gold Woodbridge Dairy Farm Silver Country Corners Farms LLC Daybreak Dairy LLC ** Heritage Farms LLC Melridge Farms Robert & Donna Pepper Arlyn J. Walt

Bronze Al Ott Farm LLC * Alflen Dairy Farms Inc. Timothy Baker 4 Korner Dairy Douglas, Lynn & Terry Huff Vernon Klinger John & Philip Kuyers Nienhuis Dairy Farm LLC Mark & Elizabeth Ponstein Sunrise Local Seth Ponstein Gold Pyle Dairy Farm Inc. Cedar Lane Dairy Farms Dennis Raterink Circle K Farms Inc. Norman Ter Haar Lemajru Dairy Farm / Charles & James VanderZwaag Julie Nelkie ** Delwyn Wedeven Welchkin Acres Bronze Bronze Blumerich Farms Ted & Cynthia Furness Gleason Dairy Farm Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority Siegler Dairy Farm LLC Alfred, Doris & Duane Stuever

Anschuetz Dairy Farm * Bennett Farms Derek Brewer ** Curry Farms Alan Jantzi Joseph E. Kauffman Poirier Farms ** Samuel Schmucker Jr. Barry Troyer W-R-L Daniels Farm LLC Weber Dairy Farms LLC Wenkel Farms Brad & Nicole Wren

Western U.P. Local Silver Gary & Teresa Palosaari Bronze Herioux Farms LLC Iho Farms Jacob and Elaine Jahfetson & Family Gerald and Robert Webber

Upstate Local Bronze Dean Edgecomb Richard J. Fettig Marvin J. Rubingh Stanek Farm

* Five consecutive years ** Ten consecutive years *** Fifteen consecutive years Michigan Milk Messenger 21

High School Sweethearts, Lifetime Farmers Ty and Tammy Spicher ~ District 2

By Alex Schnabelrauch

B

alancing family and a fulltime job is no easy task. Throw in two typically opposite farm schedules, and it seems like there just aren’t enough hours in the day. District two OYDCs Ty and Tammy Spicher know what it means to juggle hectic schedules, and the intentional, sometimes creative effort required to sustain a two-farmer marriage.

“The best thing I ever did was start ordering tractors with buddy seats,” Ty grins.

To complicate matters, the Spichers aren’t working side-by-side every day on the same farm. While Tammy gets up and heads to work on her father’s dairy farm in Paw Paw every morning, Ty drives 20 minutes to a crop farm in Hartford where he’s a fulltime crop manager.

22 January 2013

“Our schedules are always different and it’s hard to have family time,” Tammy admits. “A lot of times we have opposite sleeping schedules.

It takes work to make time for each other and many times that means Ty spends time helping me on the dairy or I ride along with him during planting and harvesting.”

Even though time is in short supply, the Spichers wouldn’t trade the home they’ve found in agriculture for a 9 to 5 schedule.

Coming Back Home The dairywoman of the family, Tammy hasn’t always worked for her father Tim Hood on the family dairy. “I started working on the farm in 2001 as a freshman in high school.

But I wasn’t convinced I wanted to stay forever so I became a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and left the farm in 2006 to work at a nursing home in Niles. I lasted two months...

I just missed the animals too much to stay away,” she explains.

Tammy puts her love for animals to work as the farm’s primary calf feeder and caretaker, milker trainer and manager and office work assistant.

The Hood’s well ventilated, immaculate calf barn (retrofitted from the farm’s old milking parlor) speaks to Tammy’s dedication and passion for quality calf care. Spotless calves don’t hesitate to jump up from their dry, clean bedding to come to the gate and greet new visitors. Each is draped with a calf blanket and

has a unique name written on its tag. “We have about 500 calves a year, but we still consider them family. And if they’re family, they deserve a name,” Tammy affirms.

One of the more challenging parts of her day-to-day routine is managing people. She elaborates, “I’m in charge of setting milker schedules, interviewing, training milkers and resolving employee issues. It’s especially difficult when I’m the same age or younger than the employees I’m managing.”

Past experiences at MMPA Milker Training Schools have taught Tammy standard procedures to improve milk quality. She tries to pass these strategies on to new and seasoned employees.

Last year, Tammy took a step outside of her comfort zone and became a Dairy Communicator. She’s enjoyed refining her communication skills and focusing on the promotion aspect of dairy. “Being a Dairy Communicator gives me a chance to get off the farm and get the word out that dairy is a nutritious, delicious option for kids and adults alike,” she says.

Hood Farms

Pictured Above: Ty and Tammy Spicher have to creatively fit in family time while balancing two opposite farm schedules. (Lower left) Working full-time at a crop farm, Ty is also very interested in dairy and occasionally lends a hand at Tammy’s family farm in Paw Paw, Michigan. (Lower right) Tammy’s true passion is providing excellent calf care and doing her part to develop a healthy herd starting with young stock.

Tammy’s family farm – Hood Farms – employs 13 non-family employees and milks 425 cows in a double 15 parallel parlor. In 2010, the farm increased from two to four daily milkings, consequently increasing production by 20 percent.

They milk at 3 a.m., 9 a.m., 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. each day.

A major building project in 2000 added a totally new milking parlor, freestall hoop barn and heifer hoop barn across the street from the original farmstead. The old facilities are now used to raise calves and store grain from the farm’s 931 acres of alfalfa and corn.

During their renovations, Hood Farms also constructed a 250-foot

sand lean. Alley scrapers funnel waste into the lean which gradually slopes down to separate the bedding from liquid manure. The sand bedding gets caught on the sloping cement and can be piled, dried and reused while the waste drains down to the lagoon.

didn’t really have a background in agriculture, dating Tammy helped him find his future profession. “If I wanted to see her [Tammy] I had to come to the farm. And if I came to the farm, I was put to work,” Ty smiles.

The farm participates in the National Dairy FARM Program and hopes to expand in the next five to 10 years.

He worked part-time for the Hoods during and just out of high school before starting with Phillips Sunshine Farms in 2006. There, he helps run a custom harvesting business with 2,500 acres of corn, beans and wheat to sell area dairies and feedlots. Along with day-today cropping, he’s entrusted with

High School Sweethearts Ty and Tammy started dating 12 years ago while attending Paw Paw High School. Even though Ty

Continued on page 24 Michigan Milk Messenger 23

Continued from page 23 managing employees and helping run the farm.

“Cropping gives me variable hours based on the season. I work anywhere from 40 to 100 hours a week. There was a two-and-ahalf month period last fall where I averaged 106 hours a week. Some people don’t even realize there are 100 work hours in the week… if you don’t sleep that is,” he jokes.

Despite lack of sleep and long working hours, Ty and Tammy managed to keep their relationship going. After nine years of dating around farm schedules, they were married in 2009 and began their own two-farmer story one calf and acre at a time.

24 January 2013

Coming Soon: The Fifth Generation Tammy is a fourth generation farmer and, with Ty’s similar passion for agriculture, they look forward to raising their family on the farm as well. They have already started the fifth generation with their twoyear-old daughter Taylor who loves helping her mom feed the calves.

Tammy smirks, “She might get some of the other animals mixed up, but every time she sees a calf, she says, ‘Cows go moo.’”

Coming in April, their second child – another girl, Tessa – will keep the “T” tradition going.

When looking toward the future, Ty relays the couple’s vision, “As we continue growing our family, we hope to one day be able to have our whole family working on one farm. Then, even if we’re working long hours, at least we can work together.”

2012 -13 MMPA Local Meetings Local

Date

Place

Location

Time

Alma

Friday, January 4

Maxfield’s Restaurant

Wyman

11:30 a.m.

Mid-Michigan

Friday, January 4

Clinton County RESA

St. Johns

11:45 a.m.

Huron

Saturday, January 5

Franklin Inn

Bad Axe

11:30 a.m.

Deford/CliffordMayville

Monday, January 7

Liz’s American Diner

Caro

12 noon

Frankenmuth

Tuesday, January 8

Black Forest Restaurant

Frankenmuth

12 noon

Adrian

Tuesday, January 8

Rome Grange Hall

Adrian

12 noon

Grand Rapids

Wednesday, January 9

Golden Corral

Walker

12 noon

Flint/Livingston Charter/Owosso

Wednesday, January 9

Gigi’s Banquet Center

Corunna

12 noon

Hillman

Friday, January 11

Hillman Community Center

Hillman

11:30 a.m.

West Michigan

Friday, January 11

Zeeland Township Hall

Vriesland

11:30 a.m.

Dairyland

Friday, January 11

Exit 57

Carson City

12 noon

Constantine

Saturday, January 12

Siloam Fellowship Hall

Goshen

10:30 a.m.

St. ClairMacomb-Lapeer

Wednesday, January 16

Holly Meadows Golf Course

Capac

11:30 a.m.

Ingham Co.

Wednesday. January 16

City Limits

Mason

10:30 a.m.

Evart

Thursday, January 17

Rehoboth Reformed Church

McBain

11 a.m.

Muskegon

Thursday, January 17

Russ’ Banquet Room

Muskegon

11:30 a.m.

Clare/Mt. Pleasant

Friday, January 18

Church of Nazarene

Clare

11 a.m.

Deckerville

Saturday, January 19

Deckerville Diner

Deckerville

12 noon

Saline-Ann Arbor Tuesday, January 22

Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds

Ann Arbor

12 noon

Jackson Co. Plus

Wednesday, January 23

Gene Davis & Sons

Jackson

12 noon

Mid-Sanilac

Wednesday, January 23

Liberty Lanes

Sandusky

12 noon

HillsdaleLitchfield

Thursday, January 24

Hillsdale County Fairgrounds

Hillsdale

12 noon

Blossomland

Friday, January 25

Zeke’s Restaurant

Dowagiac

12:30 p.m.

Brown CityMarlette

Saturday, January 26

Eddie-Gs

Marlette

12 noon

Michigan Milk Messenger 25

2013 MMPA Milker Training Schools

Don’t miss a great opportunity to improve milk quality

A

ttention to detail and consistency in milking procedures make the difference between a good milking routine and an excellent one. Whether you or your employees have been milking for 30 years or three months, at MMPA Milker Training Schools (MTS) you will learn best milking procedures which will lead to improved milk quality, higher monthly quality premiums, reduced new mastitis infections and antibiotic use and increased milk production.

MMPA MTS is a day-long session offered free of charge to MMPA members and their employees. A combination of classroom instruction and hands-on training help participants understand the “why” and “how” of an excellent udder prep procedure.

Both managers and employees are encouraged to attend to promote consistent, operation-wide adoption, implementation and reinforcement of milking procedure techniques.

The registration form and schedule are included below. Each MTS is

“I’ve been to MMPA’s Milker Training School five times and I still learn something new every time. It’s a great program that makes you want to be better at what you do.” – Jason Dellar, Nu-Dream Dairy, Harrisville, Mich. limited to 35 people; however, a second session may be held to meet demand. Please register early to help us determine if a second day is needed at some locations. Contact your MMPA member representative or the Member Services Department at the Novi office with any questions or registration information.

Hispanic Milker Training Schools Have trouble communicating with Spanish-speaking employees? Some Michigan dairy farms employ Hispanic milkers and, more often than not, the language barrier makes communication between milkers and owners difficult.

To help overcome this obstacle, MMPA offers MTS taught by a Spanishspeaking instructor. A concurrent, but

The 2013 MTS locations were selected based on MMPA producer responses to the MTS survey. Trainings were placed in any area where 15 or more members requested a school.

If members would like a school offered in an area other than the locations already selected, and know that 20-30 people would attend from that area, it’s not too late! To request a school at a location not listed below, contact Christy Dinsmoore at (989) 5289102 or Dinsmoore@mimilk.com or the Member Services Department at the Novi office.

Name

Registration: 9:30 am Program: 10:00am to 3:00pm (Lunch is provided)

Address

Eaton Rapids

February 6

Edgewater Apartments

Telephone

Coopersville

February 21

Polkton Township Hall

Prudenville

March 6

Houghton Lake Historical Playhouse

Brown City

March 14

Brown City Missionary Church

Greenville

April 16

Greenville Community Center

Greenville

April 17 (Spanish)

Greenville Community Center

Stephenson

April 3 and 4

MSU Extension Office

26 January 2013

Schools at Additional Locations

Milker Training Registration

2013Milker Training School Locations and Dates

separate, session is also held to give employers and/or milking supervisors on overview of the techniques the employees are taught so everyone is on the same page after attending MTS.

Producer Permit Number Date and location of session you will attend:

Number of people attending: English Hispanic Send this form to:

MMPA Milker Training School

Member Service Dept.

P.O. Box 8002

Novi, MI 48376-8002

Ten Reasons to be an OYDC

A

re you a young MMPA member or MMPA farm employee? Looking for an opportunity to develop leadership skills while learning about the inner-workings of the co-op? Interested in vying for the chance to represent MMPA at national meetings and conferences?

Consider participating in the Outstanding Young Dairy Cooperators (OYDC) Program! Take it from our 2012 OYDCs, this is an opportunity you won’t want to miss.

Why should you apply for the OYDC Program?

1. “To stay involved and informed with what’s going on in your co-op.” ­

— Rosemary Rice, District 8 OYDC

2. “It’s nice to meet and interact with producers who are our age and struggling with the

same issues we are.” ­— Ty and Tammy Spicher, District 2 OYDC

3. “We are the next generation of our co-op and we need to understand how it works.”

­

— Margie Weiss, District 10 OYDC

4. “It’s an eye-opening experience to see what goes into getting you a milk check

each month.” — ­ Chad and Amanda Outman, District 5 OYDC

5. “It is fun getting to know other young dairy farmers and learning more about

their stories.” — Frank and Jennifer Keller, District 1 OYDC

6. “ It’s interesting to learn the entire milk marketing process from how MMPA

helps producers turnout quality milk, to how they find customers to purchase the final product.” — Jason and Katie Dellar, District 12 OYDC

7. “The OYDC program teaches you the leadership skills we need to be the next

generation of leaders at MMPA.”

— Josh and Lesley Lott, District 4 OYDC

8. “You learn a lot in a very short period of time and get to meet people from around

the state with similar interests and problems.” — ­ Randy and Emily Berens, District 11 OYDC

9. “The program gives you a better understanding of how the co-op works including pricing

and where your milk goes when it leaves the farm.” — Jeff and Courtney Reid, District 7 OYDC

10. “It is so helpful to see how things work off your farm and meet the people behind your lab

numbers and milk checks.” — Kris and Carla Wardin, District 6 OYDC

The purpose of the MMPA OYDC Program is to strengthen leadership abilities in young MMPA farmers, broaden young farmers’ knowledge of milk marketing and MMPA and recognize the abilities and stewardship of our young dairy farmers.

All locals are encouraged to submit a single individual or couple nominee for the OYDC program. Nominees must be less than 41 years of age as of January 1 in the contest year. If running as a couple, the age requirement applies to the younger spouse.

Each year, MMPA locals nominate an OYDC to represent their local in the OYDC program. If you’re interested in learning more about the OYDC program, please contact Sheila Burkhardt at the Novi office.

Michigan Milk Messenger 27

The MMPA Novi Lab Working Together to Serve You

Pictured (L-R) Sarah Aittama, Teresa Farmer, Patti Huttula, Ann Drakos, Susan McConnell and Annette Vasquez.

L

ike clockwork haulers take milk samples from thousands of bulk tanks every day. A day or two later, tables filled with numbers seem to auto-populate on MMPA members’ web accounts.

It’s a seemingly automatic process members count on to make management decisions and determine pay premiums.

But what’s the story behind those numbers? How do milk samples transform from liquid to numbers to currency? Who’s behind it all?

Meet the MMPA Novi Laboratory! The supervisor, four fulltime and one part-time laboratory technicians are proud to be the “who” behind your milk test results.

Novi Laboratory Supervisor Patti Huttula sums-up the group saying, “Everyone realizes we have a job to do and why it’s important. Our

28 January 2013

results directly affect members’ paychecks. That’s why we take our day-to-day work so seriously and are dedicated to serving our employers – our members.”

Yet, the true scope of their passion, commitment to excellence and far-reaching services can’t be boiled down to just numbers.

Quality People

MMPA’s full-time lab technicians are certified through the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) following the requirements outlined in the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO). The certification process includes an annual on-site evaluation by MDARD to ensure the laboratory’s facilities, equipment, records and techniques of analysts

are in compliance with the FDA laboratory rules. In addition, the technicians participate in annual proficiency testing.

“Many people don’t realize we are all certified lab techs holding fouryear Bachelor of Science degrees.

Our youngest full-time tech has been here for 15 years; that says a lot about our level of experience. We’re proud to be used as a statewide model for our accuracy and consistent certification,” Lab Tech Annette Vasquez explains.

Accuracy is the lab’s highest priority. With extensive recordkeeping and safeguards, results are backed up by data. If a piece of equipment malfunctions, the technician stops testing until it has been repaired and, when appropriate, recalibrated. The analysts are experienced and conscientious, taking

initiative to troubleshoot issues and solve problems. They operate like a team, working together to accomplish the day’s work.

“We do everything we can to give our members correct, timely results and welcome two-way communication with our members.

If you have questions about your results, call us. We’d be happy to walk you through our testing procedures and explain what our results mean,” affirms Lab Tech Teresa Farmer.

The Right Procedures

Running thousands of samples a day, MMPA technicians assure tests are performed following standard operating procedures, and samples are handled appropriately for each test.

Sample temperatures are recorded from farm pick-up throughout the testing process. Each test has a set of parameters that the sample must meet to verify the accuracy and validity of the test. If a sample doesn’t meet those requirements, it isn’t tested for pay purposes and therefore does not impact producers’ bottom line.

“We realize that our results impact a lot of things on the farm on a daily basis. Being accurate and timely is of the utmost importance for us to maintain the reliability of our results and sustain the trust of our members. Our testing and results affect producers’ livelihood and, in the end, our jobs as well,” Lab Tech Sarah Aittama assures.

The component testing machine (Combi-Foss) and the bacteria testing machine (BactoScan) store test results by producer identification number in an electronic file. Lab Tech Sue McConnell elaborates, “Automated machines are performing the component testing and the majority of our bacteria testing. Bar coded producer labels allow for samples to be scanned directly into the system, reducing the possibility of human error on entry.”

“We realize that our results impact a lot of things on the farm on a daily basis. Being accurate and timely is of the utmost importance for us to maintain the reliability of our results and sustain the trust of our members.”

Full Service to Assist Members

While the number of samples sent to the lab continues to increase, the technicians still believe many producers don’t realize all the services the lab offers or the scope of its capabilities. “Some producers don’t even know what’s available.

They don’t know they can send in extra milk samples for further testing (‘specials’) for an extra PI, antibiotic or other tests,” says Sarah.

The laboratory is certified to perform state mandated tests including well water, SCC, drug residue and (raw) bacteria testing.

They perform the monthly official test as required under the PMO to maintain a member’s Grade A status – with a goal of testing every producer one randomly-selected day a month. The official test is comprised of a bacteria, drug residue and SCC test. A portion of the member’s premium is based off of the bacteria result.

Whether the laboratory is analyzing samples for pay purposes or for non-payment purposes (specials), every effort is made to provide an accurate and timely test result. True, some of these tests directly impact member’s bottom line. “But the majority is provided as a service to our producers, their veterinarians, nutritionists and herdsmen to improve herd health and production; not because they’re required. But because we know the results from many of our non-pay tests ultimately affect the results of the pay tests,” Teresa says.

Submitting specials help members monitor the quality of the milk leaving their farms. Some of the special tests available include non-official bacteria and PI counts, culturing, samples for lab pasteurized counts (LPC) and total coliform.

Herd health, equipment cleaning, milking procedures and overall quality can be tracked with this data.

“We provide our members with information to allow them to make management decisions on their farm.

Our members are responding to our customers’ increasing demands for higher quality. These demands go far beyond the requirements outlined in the PMO. And that’s what we’re here for, to serve our members. If we can’t help a member, we can help identify someone who can,” says Patti.

A Network of Dairy Experts

While MMPA’s Novi Lab can’t offer every milk test on the market, they work with other companies to assist members. A partnership with AntelBio grants MMPA members access to testing for Johne’s Disease, Bovine Leukosis Virus, Bovine Viral Diarrhea and the Milk Pregnancy ELISA Test.

Similarly, individual cow samples can be forwarded to the National Dairy Herd Information (DHI) Universal Lab for component testing, and a relationship with Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health (DCPAH) provides bacteriology/susceptibility as well as Mycoplasma testing.

With so many other testing facilities, why have an in-house laboratory at all? It all boils down to service. The MMPA Lab offers members one-on-one accessibility to the lab technicians. Lab techs take ownership in their work and set high standards of quality control. Since the co-op structure lends itself to well-integrated, cross-departmental collaboration, the laboratory team

Continued on page 31 Michigan Milk Messenger 29

What’s in Your Milk Quality Playbook?

Don’t Leave Your Players Stranded on the Field

By Christy Dinsmoore Mastitis Management Specialist

M

anagers, you are the coach of many players on your farm’s team. One of the most important teams on your dairy is the milking crew. Without you the players lack direction and confidence and, worst of all, may develop bad milking procedure habits. They will drift into a routine that is very different from what you trained them to do. Don’t let this happen to you!

Everyone Must Know the Milk Quality Goals Coaches, it’s your job to give your milking crew the skills they need to reach the milk quality goal. It’s human nature to want to excel at a job and take pride in what is accomplished. A milking crew is no different. If they don’t know the udder prep routine, how can they perform it? If they don’t know the milk quality goal, how can they achieve it? How will they succeed in scoring a milk quality touchdown?

The milking crew is no different than a sports team; all team members, including the coach, need to be working toward the goal of milk quality in order to win the game.

Leading your Team to Victory Tell them the routine you want to see.

Be specific and detailed. Farms that are still in the dairy business today are here because they are doing a great job; but there are some farms doing an excellent job. The difference is in how well they do things. The details matter. If you want the teat end wiped before the unit is attached, that must be detailed in the procedure.

Show them the routine you want done. Pictures, video, live action in the parlor or milking barn. It makes

30 January 2013

MMPA member representatives can help you design and implement a winning quality program on your farm. no difference as long as they see the specific steps you want followed.

Ask them to show you what you have just taught them. Telling and showing proper milking procedure is only half the battle. Now the players on the team need to show you that they understand. That’s where monthly evaluations or simply pulling out the stopwatch and spending some time watching and timing procedures during milking comes into play.

Catch them doing a good job and you will build confidence and trust, and you will identify bad procedures before they become a bad habit.

A coach cannot see every angle of a play so they rely on team captains to help. If you cannot take the responsibility of making sure milking procedures are done consistently excellent, then assign the responsibility to someone. If no one is responsible and accountable, the task won’t get done.

Provide feedback on the great job they are doing. Posting your farm’s milk quality goals and current standings will give your team a common goal to work towards.

Monetary incentives, positive verbal feedback or even a farm barbeque are all ways to share the victories of excellent milk quality. Celebrating as a team will also help foster team spirit.

Everyone is an MVP MMPA Milker Training Schools are more than just spring training for your team; it’s a chance for coaches to come see the plays and learn the “why” and “how” for themselves.

The training opportunity for the milking crew is tremendous, but without follow-up and support from the coach, it is just a day away from the farm. You have a tough job of putting the plays into action. But without you, Coach, the players would have no one leading them to milk quality victory.

Don’t forget to come to a MMPA Milker Training School. Announcements for dates and locations are in this issue of the Milk Messenger.

Census Provides Opportunity to Grow the Future of Agriculture 2012 Census of Agriculture Arriving in Mailboxes across America

I

t's not every day that a walk to your mailbox leads to an opportunity to help shape farm programs, boost rural services and grow your farm future. But for producers across the country, that opportunity will soon become a reality. The 2012 Census of Agriculture, the only source of consistent and comprehensive agricultural data for every state and county in the nation, is currently being mailed to millions of farmers and ranchers across the United States.

Conducted every five years by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), the Census provides detailed data covering nearly every facet of U.S. agriculture. It looks at land use and ownership, production practices, expenditures and other factors that affect the way farmers do business and succeed in the 21st Century.

"The 2012 Census of Agriculture provides farmers with a powerful

voice. The information gathered through the Census influences policy decisions that can have a tremendous impact on farmers and their communities for years to come," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "I strongly encourage all farmers, no matter how large or small their operation, to promptly complete and return their Census, so they can voice to the nation the value and importance of agriculture."

“The Census is the only source of comprehensive agricultural data highlighting the impact agriculture has on every county in Michigan,” said Jamie Clover Adams, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Director. “I am asking Michigan’s farmers and producers to complete their census to help us really get a true picture of the growth of agriculture in our state.”

growth and development. Census data are integral in allocating Federal resources to the State and local communities.

All farmers and ranchers should receive a Census form in the mail by early January. Completed forms are due by February 4, 2013. Farmers can return their forms by mail or online by visiting a secure website, www.agcensus.usda.gov. Federal law requires all agricultural producers to participate in the Census and requires NASS to keep all individual information confidential.

For more information about the Census, visit www.agcensus.usda. gov or contact your local USDA, NASS, Michigan Field Office in East Lansing at 1-800-453-7501. The Census of Agriculture is your voice, your future, your responsibility.

Vilsack added that in addition to affecting policy decisions, Census information also influences community

Continued from page 29 works hand-in-hand with member representatives to offer service and milk quality guidance.

Here to Help

Just as dairy farming has changed over the years, MMPA’s longtime lab techs have evolved with changes to milk testing.

Annette recalls, “In 1986, we ran maybe 20 special milk samples a day, and they were handwritten on one sheet of paper. Now, we’re running well over 300 specials each day with some days close to 1,000. The number of producers we serve has decreased, and the number of techs we employ has been cut in half. But we’re testing more samples than ever.”

Sue adds, “Since I started, I’ve watched the legal SCC limit decrease from 1.5 million to 750,000/mL, and now we have an EU requirement of 400,000/mL. The majority of members are able to achieve that level, and some members are even under 100,000/mL. The most rewarding part of our day-to-day jobs is watching these producers improve and innovate to achieve success with the help of our test results.”

Members with questions regarding their test results may call the Novi laboratory during normal business hours or their member representative.

Michigan Milk Messenger 31

Merchandise Memo To order call: 1-800-572-5824 then dial 2

Cold Stress Season Calf Care

W

inter is here along with the joys of frozen water pails, digging snow out of calf hutches and feeding calves twice a day in the dark. Calves can thrive in this cold environment if you manage them correctly.

First you need to develop a feeding/management plan when the temperature drops below 60° F for calves younger than 21 days of age. The young calf ’s maintenance requirements increase as the temperature decreases. If you don’t adjust the nutrition program accordingly, then more nutrients are going to keep the calf warm and functioning rather than growing. In Michigan, nearly 69 percent of the year the average temperature is below 60° F, so there are plenty of opportunities to provide more nutrition to the young calf. The calves older than 21 days need more nutrition when temperatures drop below 42°F.

Research has found calves that stay with the cow will consume approximately three gallons of milk daily which equates to about three pounds of milk dry matter. How much milk replacer do you feed daily? The standard MMPA calf milk replacer feeding recommendation is 1.5 pounds which is more than many competitors who recommend 1-1.25 pound per day.

It is important to provide more calf milk replacer powder, not just fat like fat additives. If you just add fat you might not have enough protein to support lean tissue growth.

Another important factor in maintaining good calf growth during cold stress is feeding temperature of the milk.

Feed liquid MMPA milk replacer at body temperature (101103° F). Have you ever checked the milk temperature once it is delivered to the calf ? If it is below body temperature then you are increasing the calf ’s maintenance requirements and reducing growth. This also applies to feeding coldfree choice water. It is best to offer warm (100° F) water

immediately after milk feeding. Calves will drink water then lie down after eating some calf starter.

The calf will drink about one gallon of water per day, so if a producer provides it at 40°F, the calf will burn up about 1 ounce of a 20 percent fat milk replacer just to bring the water up to body temperature. If you cannot keep water out through the day, dump the water one to two hours after milk feeding to avoid frozen pails. It takes about four pounds of water to build one pound of lean tissue.

Another strategy to get more nutrition delivered to the calf is to feed more liquid milk replacer (one to three qts additional) rather than making the solution more concentrated. Equally space milk feedings throughout the day; ideally provide feeding in eight-hour intervals (later in the evening so the calf has nutrition during the coldest part of the day).

Provide deep, dry straw bedding which allows the calf to nest. Remember wet and dirty calves loose more heat.

Calf jackets are great to provide additional warmth. Be careful to have a calf jacket that breaths so during the spring and fall season calves don’t sweat and get wet hair coats when the sun is out then end up getting chilled after the sun sets.

Many of these cold stress strategies will be discussed at the MMPA/LOL AMP calf care training meetings. These meetings will be held in February 2013 at the following Michigan locations: Feb. 12 in Caro, Feb. 13 in St. Johns, and Feb. 14 in Big Rapids. If you are interested in attending, please call Marianne Gasiewski at the Novi office at (800) 572-5824 ext. 215.

REGISTERED HOLSTEIN BULLS Over 100 service age bulls for your selection! a special herd sire or a truck load of breeder bulls. Ready to go to work on your farm!

• SIRED BY THE TOP SIRES FROM THE U.S. AND CANADA

GREEN MEADOW FARMS

• FROM OUR TOP PRODUCTION COWS.

ELSIE, MI 48831

www.greenmeadowfarms.com

6400 HOLLISTER RD. PH: 989-862-4291

32 January 2013

Order Your MMPA Merchandise through your milk hauler or call: Supervisor:

Duane Farmer 989-681-2334 Fax: 989-681-3988 Toll Free: 877-367-6455 Orders (Novi) 800-572-5824 then dial 2

MMPA Quality Premium Program

S

omatic Cell Count premiums and deductions (in addition to Federal Order SCC Adjustments computed in the producer pay price) will be paid at the following levels: • 50,000 or below +55¢/cwt.

• 51,000 - 75,000 +50¢/cwt.

• 76,000 - 100,000 +45¢/cwt.

• 101,000 - 125,000 +40¢/cwt.

• 126,000 - 150,000 +35¢/cwt.

• 151,000 - 175,000 +30¢/cwt.

• 176,000 - 200,000 +25¢/cwt.

• 201,000 - 225,000 +20¢/cwt.

• 226,000 - 250,000 +15¢/cwt.

• 251,000 - 400,000 00¢/cwt.

• 401,000 - 500,000 -15¢/cwt.

• 501,000 - 600,000 -30¢/cwt.

• 601,000 - 750,000 -$1.00/cwt.

• Over 750,000 -$1.50/cwt.

A payment of 5¢/cwt. will be added for each of the following, if the count is equal to or below: • 10,000 Raw Bacteria Count • 20,000 Pre-Incubated (PI) Count There will be a deduction of 10¢/cwt. for: • Greater than 100,000 Raw Bacteria Count

A high raw count deduction will be waived if the producer has received the quality premium the previous three months for raw bacteria count.

To qualify for Raw and PI Bacteria Count premiums there must not be any of the following during the month: • Positive drug residue • Abnormal freeze points • High load count shipment or rejected load shipment • #3 or #4 sediment • Raw Bacteria count over 100,000 The count levels for raw and PI will be determined on one test run per month.

For Service, call the Ecolab Service Message Center 1-800-392-3392 or

To qualify for MMPA SCC premiums there must be: • No abnormal freeze points during the month

Stan Palmer 5303 E. Swan Drive #3 Port Clinton, OH 43452 419-797-2101

To qualify for MMPA volume premiums there must be: • No abnormal freeze points during the month • An average somatic cell count of 750,000 or less.

Ben Johnson 4461 Cambridge Dr. Port Huron, MI 48060 810-824-0636

MMPA Member Testing Fees

P

ayment for testing will be made through an automatic milk check deduction. All costs are listed per individual sample.

• Scheduled Herd Tests $1

Scheduled Herd Test samples are tested for: Culture for Streptococcus agalactiae, Strep non ag, Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase negative staph, coliform and SCC.

Additional testing can be coordinated through your MMPA Member Representative to include: Raw bacteria count and components.

All herd tests must be scheduled with the laboratory through your MMPA Member Representative.

Chemical, Sanitizer & Teat Dip Contact Information

Members who choose to receive their lab test results via U.S. postal service:

$2/month Additional Tests Available: All costs are listed per individual sample.

• Mycoplasma Cultures $ 8 • Bacteriology Cultures $12

– Includes identification of bacteria and drug susceptibility.

• Bovine Viral Diarrhea

- PCR

- ELISA • Johne’s Milk Test

- PCR

- ELISA – cows - ELISA – tank

$40 $ 6 $40 $ 6 $10

• Bovine Leukosis Test

- ELISA – cows - ELISA – tank

$ 6 $10

• Milk Pregnancy ELISA

$4.50

These are service personnel only.

Order your Member Merchandise supplies through your hauler.

ECOLAB 24 -Hour Medical Emergency Hotline: 1-800-328-0026

Jason Koerth 7509 Aborcrest Dr. Portage, MI 49024 269-207-3773 Pat Mitchell 7273 N. Rollin Hwy. Addison, MI 49220 517-403-0928

A & L Laboratories 24 -Hour Medical Emergency Hotline: 1-800-424-9300 Kurt Fiene 8356 C.R. 115 Kenton, OH 43326 612-889-1063 Jeff Timm NW 8665 C.R. M Shawano, WI 54166 612-840-0555

All tests must be scheduled through your MMPA Member Representative or the laboratory for proper sample submission protocol.

Michigan Milk Messenger 33

Freeliners

Call 1-800-572-5824 ext. 202 to place your ad or email to: Muszynski@mimilk.com

Bulls

Registered Holstein Bulls: We now have a nice selection of service age bulls, sired by top AI sires. Green Meadow Farms, Elsie, MI. 989-8624291 or see our website at www. greenmeadowfarms.com.

Service age Holstein bulls. Call Steve Alexander, 810-622-8548 evenings or 810-404-8548.

Registered Holstein breeding bulls, all AI sired from top bulls, b&w, red, red carrier and some polled, high production, low SCC herd. Bulls are priced to sell. Ver Hage Holsteins,

Freeliner Policy 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 contacting their MMPA Member Representative or 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 may choose to have the item published as a Classified Ad at the regular per-line Classified Ad rate.

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

Example: to be included in the January issue, the freeliner must be at the MMPA office by December 10.

34 January 2013

269-673-4886 or 269-217-6076, ask for Tim. www.verhageholsteins.com.

Service age Reg. Holstein bulls, deep pedigrees, some red carriers.

Jenesis Genetics, 231-924-6163 or 231-225-8615.

50-month old bull half Holstein half Jersey. 517-726-1418.

Cows and Heifers

Bred heifers. 616-835-6776.

Equipment

Locknow 150 stationary feed mixer with digital scale; Patz 80 foot belt feeder; Jamesway feed conveyer; automatic roller mill, PTO drive model # 1200, with auger feed and blower discharge; NH Forage Blower.

Best offer. 989-330-3270 or 989-3302885.

Gleaner M2 diesel 6-row black corn head, 15 ft. grain head, SCH cutter bar, all in really good condition.

Quick sale $10,000. 989-862-4421.

Mueller 1000 gal. bulk tank with compressor and tank washer. Mueller Freon water cooler & storage tank 80 gal., 65 MSU style free stalls. 989330-3270 or 989-330-2885, Harrison, Mich.

2750-gal. Mueller bulk tank, mid 90s age, 2-5 hp. Single phase Copeland Scroll compressors, 1 less than 3 years old, 1 less than 6 months old, $16,000. Double-4 DeLaval milking parlor. Air gates, indexing rails, controls, SST2 takeoffs, oil-less vacuum pump, no motor, 1 hp. Milk pump, 10-ft. tube cooler, $5,500 for all. 231-670-1552 or 231-861-5285 leave message.

600 gallon DeLaval tank with compressor and automatic washer $1,200. Call 989-213-6696.

Select Detect heat detection system with 80- collars $12,000. Call 989-2136696.

Wanted

1947 Model R Moline, older restoration, excellent condition, $2,000. 616-218-9350.

Small herd of milking cows that can be bought on milk check assignment.

616-889-0769.

Yetter Air Seed Conveyor $1,500.00.

IH 6388 2+2-nicest one left, 3300 hours, new firestone 18.4-38 $24,500. 6720 Penta mixer wagon, used 3 years, Heavy duty under carriage $23,500. DeLaval Automatic Calf Feeder. New 2008, used 2 years, RFID identification system, waste milk and milk replacer compatible $7,500.00 firm. If interested 989-5510681.

Used freestalls. 616-634-2958.

Dairy Equipment

Double five Bou-matic milker complete with pipeline washer, Westfalia ACR SS automatic takeoffs, DARI-KOOL plate cooler and two Bou-matic vacuum pumps.

600 to 3,000 gal. bulk tanks for storage use only. Mio, Mich. 989-8265453.

Milking equipment 500-600 gal. bulk tank with washer, pipeline and milking units. Leave message 574825-4569.

Dairy help, light maintenance and fieldwork. 616-218-9350.

MMPA toy tanker truck and/ or MMPA 75th Anniversary milk delivery toy truck. Call 616-671-5050.

Michigan Milk Messenger 35

Classifieds Call 1-800-572-5824 ext. 202 or email to: Muszynski@mimilk.com Call 1-800-572-5824 ext. 224

Classified Ads ($20 per ad up to 6 lines)

Mail ads to: Classified Ads, Michigan Milk Messenger, PO BOX 8002, Novi, MI 48376-8002. Or email to Muszynski@mimilk.com. Ads must be received by the 10th of the month before the month of desired publication. Send check or money order for $20 for up to 6 lines with your order. MMPA neither sponsors nor endorses products or services advertised in the Messenger.

OPPERMAN GROOVING: 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 ______________________________________ Concrete Grooving/Floor Texturing: Bring existing grooves back to 100% efficiency/new construction. Blue Ribbon Hoof Trimming, LLC. 989-635-1494. ______________________________________

For sale: 5000-4000-3000-2500-2000-1500 OH Mueller late model bulk tank milk tanks, complete, will trade.

1-800-558-0112. ______________________________________ Wanted to buy: Used bulk milk tanks, 200 gallons & larger, Sunset & Mueller, 1-800-558-0112. ______________________________________ Hoof trimming: certified, experienced, w/ references. Craig Martin, 517-231-7790. ______________________________________

Generators Winpower & Katolight

Stocking up to 100 KW 24 Hour Emergency Service serving Michigan for the past 30 years 800-345-1887 Midwest Power Systems

Improve bottom-line $$. Lower feed costs. Maximize production.

Ingredients from your trusted source.

Zeeland Farm Services, Inc.® MI: 866.888.7082 Fax: 616.772.7067 www.zfsinc.com

Low Fat Hominy 7% minimum protein 7% maximum fiber 4% minimum fat

Citrus Pulp

16% maximum fiber 6% minimum protein 2.1% maximum calcium 2% minimum fat

Valero Meal

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

36 January 2013

34% minimum protein 13% maximum crude fiber 4% minimum fat

Traditional ZFS® Menu Soybean meal, soybean hulls, cereal feed, cottonseed, distillers, gluten, canola meal, beet pulp, wet feeds, and more!

Policies MMPA Policy on Drug Residue in Milk: MILK ON FARM – DRUG RESIDUE SUSPECTED

MILK SHIPPED — POSITIVE drugs CONFIRMED

If a member suspects milk in the farm bulk tank contains drug residue:

If a member ships milk from the farm and testing by approved laboratory methods show that the milk contained drug residue, the member will be assessed the penalties imposed by the state regulatory agency and be disqualified for raw and PI bacteria count premiums.

1. Call a MMPA Member Representative to have the milk in the tank tested. A “hold” must be placed on the tank contents until the test results are known. - OR 2. The member can test the milk on the farm. If dumped, the member must be sure to take the stick reading, record the number of pounds of milk, and report the information to their membership representative.

• If the tank tests negative (no drugs present), the milk may be released and shipped.

• If the tank tests positive (drugs present), the membership representative will authorize the member to dump the tank of milk.

The member will be paid 75% of the value of the tank of milk involved.*

• If for any reason MMPA personnel must pick up samples at the farm for testing three or more times within 12 consecutive months, the member involved will be charged $25 per trip.

If a loss is incurred by MMPA due to the disposal and/or nonmarketability of a load of milk or milk products containing drug residue, then the member responsible will be provided an invoice for the entire value of the loss plus transportation and disposal costs as required by the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance. This invoice may be submitted to the member’s insurance carrier. MMPA must receive settlement on the invoice within 90 days of issuance. If settlement is not made within 90 days, the full amount of the invoice will be deducted from the next milk check unless other settlement arrangements are made.

Milk from that member’s farm tank must be tested and found clear of drugs before the next tank of milk can be picked up.

A hauler whose entire load sample shows the presence of drugs will be charged the amount of an average shipment on that load if the individual member samples all show negative.

ALL POSITIVE DRUG RESIDUE SHIPMENTS MUST BE REPORTED TO THE ENFORCEMENT AGENCY.

MMPA Policy on Milk Quality QUALITY QUESTIONABLE

REJECTED LOAD SHIPMENT

When a member suspects that the milk in the farm bulk tank is of poor quality they should call a MMPA Member Representative who will authorize milk in the tank to be dumped. If the member dumps the milk on their own, they must be sure to take the stick reading and record the number of pounds of milk, and report the information to the Member Representative.

If:

If the milk is dumped, the member will be paid 75% of the value of the tank of milk involved.*

In order to receive payment for an added water voluntary dump, the member must install a Swingline Safety Switch. The Swingline Safety Switch can be ordered from the St. Louis warehouse. The MMPA Member Representative will verify the switch has been installed. Reimbursement for the Swingline Safety Switch and the voluntary dump will then be made to the member.

The member assumes all liability for losses incurred as a result of shipping poor quality or contaminated milk.

MILK SHIPPED – HIGH BACTERIA COUNT If:

1. A load of milk is received (unloaded) at a dairy processing plant and,

2. a sample from the load has a bacteria count of 300,000 or more and,

3. testing of the individual member samples on that load identifies the member or members having a bacteria count of 300,000 or more, then the member or members involved will be charged the value of one-half of one day’s production** and will be disqualified for raw and PI bacteria count premiums. **For members using more than one bulk tank, the assessment will be based on the value of milk in the tank or tanks in violation of the MMPA quality policy.

1. A load of milk is rejected (not unloaded) at a dairy processing plant and,

2. the milk cannot be sold through normal Grade A channels for reasons of quality which results in the load being sold or disposed of at a loss to MMPA, and,

3. testing of the individual member samples on that load identifies the member or members that caused the contamination or rejection of the load, then, the member or members responsible will be charged the full value of the loss to MMPA plus transportation and disposal costs, and be disqualified for raw and PI bacteria count premiums except for loads rejected for temperature.

4. MMPA will provide an invoice to the member for the amount of the loss, to be submitted to the member’s insurance carrier. MMPA must receive settlement on the invoice within 90 days of issuance. If settlement is not made within 90 days, the full amount of the invoice will be deducted from the next milk check unless other settlement arrangements are made.

If a member has a third occurrence or more within 12 consecutive months, that member must appear before the MMPA board of directors to review steps taken on the farm to correct the quality problem which will enable MMPA to continue to market the milk for this member.

HAULER

A hauler whose entire load sample exceeds 300,000 per mL bacteria count will be charged the amount of an average shipment on that load if the individual member samples all are less than 100,000.

A hauler will be responsible for all costs incurred by MMPA for loads rejected for temperature.

Charges and assessments made under this program will be withheld from milk checks of members or haulers involved.

* The member will only be paid for two (2) voluntary dumps in a rolling 12 month period.

Michigan Milk Messenger 37

Market Report For Milk Marketed in November 2012

MARKET STATISTICS Mideast Federal Order #33 (pounds)

This Month

Year Ago

Total Class 1 Sales

560,604,832

540,401,400

+3.74

Total Class 2 Sales

225,084,127

206,230,504

+9.14

Total Class 3 Sales

322,542,678

472,023,474

-31.67

Total Class 4 Sales

201,054,104

126,324,098

1,309,285,741 1,344,979,476

Total Production Class 1 Utilization

42.8%

NATIONAL TRENDS (million pounds)

% Change

2012

2011 % Change

+59.16

Production California

3,266

3,343 -2.3

-2.65

Wisconsin

2,199

2,100

+4.7

Idaho

1,089

1,065

+2.3

New York

1,058

1,025

+3.2

Pennsylvania

853

850

+0.4

Texas

761

790

-3.7

Minnesota

739

707

+4.5

Michigan

718

688

+4.4

New Mexico

646

673

-4.0

Washington

491

494

-0.6

Ohio

439

420

+4.5

Indiana

299

289

+3.5

14,898

14,742

+1.1

170,900 167,308

+2.1

40.2%

Mideast Federal Order #33

Current Month Total Producers 6,242 Average Daily Production per Farm 6,992 Average Protein Test 3.19% Average Butterfat Test 3.85% Average Other Solids Test 5.73% Average SCC Count (MMPA) 157,000

* Total U.S. * U.S. Y-T-D

COMPONENT PRICING INFORMATION Mideast Federal Order #33 Protein Price/lb.

$3.7172

Butterfat Price/lb.

$2.0218

Other Solids Price/lb.

$0.4624

Class III Price @ 3.5%

$ 20.83

Prod. Price Diff/cwt. (Mich. Mkt.)

($0.65)

Uniform Price @ 3.5%

$ 20.18

SCC Adjustment/cwt./1000

38 January 2013

$0.00101

* For 23 states

NASS Survey Prices

Monthly Avg Cheese /lb Butter /lb Nonfat Dry Milk /lb Dry Whey /lb

2.0146 1.8410 1.5143 0.6480

MMPA Staff NOVI (Headquarters) 248-474-6672 800-572-5824 General Manager Clay Galarneau, ext. 200 Member Services Milk Sales/Dispatch Finance/Controller Dean Letter, ext. 213 Carl Rasch, ext. 244 Joseph M. Diglio, ext. 240 Laboratory Supervisor Manufactured Product Sales Credit/Insurance

Patti Huttula, ext. 219 Jim Dodson, ext. 229 Cheryl Schmandt, ext. 210 Human Resources Member Relations/Public Affairs Data Processing

Cindy Tilden, ext. 220 Sheila Burkhardt, ext. 208 Gregory Schulkey, ext. 237

Member Communications

Laura Moser ext. 296

Alex Schnabelrauch ext. 211

MANUFACTURING PLANTS

Constantine 269-435-2835 Plant Manager Dave Davis

MASTITIS MANAGEMENT Tom Herremans......................231-853-2045 Ravenna................. mobile 269-967-0890 Steven Lehman.......................989-875-3441 Ithaca .................... mobile 989-330-1638 Christy Dinsmoore........................................

Fairgrove............... mobile 989-528-9102

NORTH AREA Supervisor: Gerry Volz ..............................

St. Louis Office....................989-289-9219 Frank Brazeau........................920-834-4059 Oconto, Wis........... mobile 906-250-0337 Ben Chapin....................................................

Big Rapids............. mobile 989-289-0731 Preston Cole............................231-584-2587 Mancelona............. mobile 989-289-9301 Lyndsay Earl.................................................

Ludington.............. mobile 231-519-2455 Angelee Kirsch..............................................

Harbor Beach........ mobile 231-414-4539 Lindsay Santure............................................

St. Johns.................. mobile 989-488-8159 Gerry Volz...............................989-848-5996 Fairview................. mobile 989-289-9219

MMPA FIELD STAFF

Ovid 989-834-2221 Plant Manager/Plant Operations David Wittkop

SOUTH AREA Supervisor: Ed Zuchnik ............................

Coldwater Office.................269-967-7351 Krista Beeker.................................................

Howe, IN .............. mobile 269-986-6792 David Brady............................517-522-5965 Grass Lake............ mobile 517-937-9061 Emily Butcher................................................

Middlebury, IN...... mobile 269-535-0822 Kendra Kissane.............................................

Hudsonville............ mobile 269-245-6632 Andrew Rupprecht.......................................

Clio......................... mobile 269-986-6793 Elyse Martin..................................................

Eaton Rapids.......... mobile 810-701-6460 Ed Zuchnik....................................................

Three Rivers.......... mobile 269-967-7351 Other Services:

If you are unable to reach your assigned member representative, contact any one of the representatives listed in your area.

MMPA Labs Novi: 800-572-5824 (in MI)

800-233-2405 7 a.m. - 4 p.m. Mon-Fri

Gary Best................................810-664-4984 Lapeer .................... mobile 586-484-9279 Bulk Tank Calibration

Ovid: 989-834-2515 6 a.m. - 10 p.m. Daily

Katie Pierson.................................................

Coleman................. mobile 989-289-9686

Constantine: 800-391-7560 7 a.m. - 10 p.m. Daily

Michael Marvin......................989-670-4864 Marlette Energy Auditor

Merchandise—St. Louis Supervisor: Duane Farmer..989-681-2334 Fax........................................989-681-3988 Toll Free...............................877-367-6455 Orders (Novi)...800-572-5824 then dial 2

Michigan Milk Messenger 39

40 January 2013 2 June 2012