Michigan Milk Messenger: January 2015

Messenger Michigan Milk

The official publication of Michigan Milk Producers Association

Inside

www.mimilk.com VOL. 97 ISSUE 7 JANUARY 2015

Constantine Reverse Osmosis Project • Long-Day Lighting

Michigan Milk Messenger

contents EDITOR’S LETTER

4 6 8 10

MMPA Matters

Sustainability: Not a Four Letter Word

Quality Watch

Congratulations to all Quality Award Winnters

News & Views Legislative Watch

12

FEATURES

12

MMPA Leaders’ Conference

2014 Highlights

15

MSU Extension Workshop

Effective Management of Farm Employees

16

Faith, Family and Farming

2015 MMPA District 5 OYDC Dries and Jamie Dodde

18

Milker Training Schools

Follow the Herd to Lower SCC

16

Messenger | January 2015

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Managing Editor.......................................................Sheila Burkhardt Editor......................................................................Alex Schnabelrauch Advertising Manager............................................Nancy Muszynski Circulation..........................................................................................2,972 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: MPA members, 50¢ per year; non-members, $5 per year.

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

Telephone: 248-474-6672 FAX: 248-474-0924 www.mimilk.com

Periodical postage paid at Novi, MI and at additional offices.

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

(ISSN 0026-2315)

24 20

Departments

Cooperation Among Cooperatives

Constantine Reverse Osmosis Project Complete

32 Merchandise

Keep the Lights On

34 Freeliners

Ramping Up Milk Production with Long-Day Lighting

36

24 26

MMPA Quality Awards

2014-2015 Recipients

33

Quality Premiums Classifieds

37 Policies 38

Market Report

39

Staff

Cover MMPA and Foremost Farms employees joined forces to onboard a reverse osmosis system at the MMPA Constantine Plant in December, less than five months after breaking ground. Learn more on page 20.

Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA)

Michigan Milk Producers Association, established in 1916, is a member owned and operated dairy cooperative serving approximately 2,000 dairy farmers in Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin and Ohio.

Directors-At-Large

Officers Ken Nobis, President Bob Kran, Vice President Mark Halbert, Treasurer Joe Diglio, General Manager/ Secretary, Assistant Treasurer Todd Hoppe, General Counsel

Ken Nobis, St. Johns................................ 989-224-6170 or 248-474-6672, ext. 201 Rodney Daniels, Whittemore................................................................989-756-4935 Dan Javor, Hastings.................................................................................269-948-8345 Mark Halbert, Battle Creek................................................................... 269-964-0511 James Reid, Jeddo...................................................................................810-327-6830

District Directors 1. Hank Choate, Cement City................................................................517-529-9032 2. Tim Hood, Paw Paw............................................................................269-657-5771 3. Bob Kran, Free Soil..............................................................................231-464-5889 4. John Kronemeyer, Pickford...............................................................906-647-7638 5. Brent Wilson, Carson City..................................................................989-584-3481 6. Tony Jandernoa, Fowler.....................................................................989-593-2224 7. Eric Frahm, Frankenmuth..................................................................989-652-3552 8. Leonard Brown, Sandusky................................................................810-648-4505

Messenger | January 2015

Board of Directors

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MMPA MATTERS

Sustainability: Not a Four Letter Word Wake up and smell the coffee. It’s a cliché that came to mind on a recent trip to attend a Sustainability Council meeting in Seattle, Wash., home of the world headquarters for Starbucks Coffee Company.

The Sustainability Council reports to the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, which is supported and staffed by our dairy checkoff organization, Dairy Management Incorporated (DMI). The council’s work moves forward on a daily basis, even though face-to-face meetings are limited to twice a year in various locations. Sustainability is something dairy farmers and our partners are always working toward achieving, but determining what that looks like is not easy.

Messenger | January 2015

Sustainability in a basic sense can refer to economic survival or the ability to simply make it through another year. I think most of us, though, would prefer to survive and prosper in a manner that guarantees a strong economic position year-after-year.

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Often when we hear the term “sustainability” beyond our own economic situation, it is being applied to environmental issues such as carbon footprints, animal care and social license to operate certain types of businesses. These and other sustainability considerations build on our underlying concern of economic sustainability.

Our dairy industry is being challenged as we address a variety of concerns while maintaining economic viability.

The industry, developing methods

to deal with changes that face us, formed the Sustainability Council.

A breakdown of the council membership is as follows: 33 percent dairy producers and cooperatives, 23 percent manufacturers, 9 percent retailers, 9 percent environmental nonprofits and 26 percent other industry partners and organizations.

MMPA became involved with the Sustainability Council in 2008 soon after it was formed. We have seen practical applications that will have positive effects on our members. The use of energy audits to help increase energy efficiency on our farms is a prime example of a tool that will benefit producers as well as everyone else along the chain from producer to consumer.

Some other areas of interest brought forward by council members lead to questions like, “How much do you pay your employees? And what is your level of voluntary community involvement?” (These types of questions are too intrusive and stray too far from the purpose of the council, in my opinion.)

But overall, the council’s goal is to better understand the food chain from the producer to consumer and establish a uniform reporting scorecard for sustainability. For example, retailers have identified a need to report to consumers and, therefore, are asking for our cooperation in providing validation of our practices. Producers need to be involved in developing this scorecard to insure the sustainability requirements are feasible for modern agriculture.

Starbucks has also been involved with the council from the beginning.

Ken Nobis

by

President

Whether or not you like coffee, it is easy to embrace a company with revenues in the $15 billion range, about half of which comes from dairy.

The insiders jokingly noted they were once a coffee company selling dairy and have become a dairy company selling some coffee. Meeting with Starbucks representatives on their own turf provided an opportunity to learn firsthand how sustainability plays a role in their product procurement.

Getting to know the non-farm partners in our industry better and working with council members has led to a more practical approach to sustainability. Through MMPA’s involvement with the council, we met with representatives from General Mills and followed through on a pilot sustainability project at their Yoplait plant in Reed City, Mich. We found them to be very cooperative, and we hope to conduct another pilot project with them in the future after some computer program issues found in the first pilot project have been resolved.

As our customers demand sustainability indicators, I think working with the Sustainability Council is moving us forward to a more practical linkage between producer and consumer. Inherent in the sustainability journey are measurements to indicate progress over time. I look forward to being a part of developing these measurements in a meaningful manner that makes sense for dairy producers.

QUALITY WATCH

Congratulations to all Quality Award Winners For the past 16 years, MMPA has honored its members with three levels of quality awards.

This local meeting season, MMPA will honor its members with 343 bronze, 141 silver and 36 gold awards. Totaling 520, we’ll be giving quality awards to a record percentage of our membership.

I

Messenger | January 2015

n addition to local meetings, some MMPA members are honored for their excellent milk quality at the national level. The National Mastitis Council (NMC) honors the best-ofthe-best in milk quality. The National Dairy Quality Award Platinum Level awardees will be recognized at the NMC Annual Meeting in Memphis, Tenn. At press time, the awardees have not been announced, but many of our nominated members advanced well into the selection process and may be recognized in the January 10 issue of the Hoard’s Dairyman. Congratulations to everyone receiving this great honor; these farms are truly among the elite in milk quality!

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Each year, MMPA customers place greater emphasis on milk quality and other issues related to “sustainability.”

Farm sanitation is critical to maintaining a healthy herd and high milk quality.

Many members recognize cleaning and sanitizing teats and teat ends is very important to preventing new cases of mastitis. Milk derived from normal, healthy udders is sterile. Bacteria can be introduced to the milk during the milking process, particularly if the teats were not properly prepped or if the cow was excessively soiled. Some of these bacteria are spore-formers which

Dean Letter

by

Director of Member Services

are not necessarily killed through the pasteurization process and may adversely affect the quality of finished dairy products. Spore-forming bacteria are getting more attention from dairy processors. Stay tuned for more details in future Messengers.

Members are encouraged to schedule a time to go through the program with their member representative well in advance of this deadline.

Since 1996, MMPA has provided its members an opportunity to attend Milker Training Schools. Throughout the day-long trainings, the importance of udder sanitation is emphasized along with the timing of certain steps of the udder prep procedure. MMPA hosts classroom-style Milker Training Schools through February, March and April. The dates and locations of the 2015 schools are posted in this Messenger. Please contact Marianne Gasiewski at the Novi Office if you wish to attend one of the schools.

• Develop or update their written herd health plan in conjunction with their herd veterinarian

Congratulations to those members who earned a quality award this year!

I hope to see even more awardees next year.

MMPA’s Participation in the National Dairy FARM Program Critical MMPA has been participating in the National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program for four years. The program was born out of farmer recognition that consumers wish to source their food from farms that routinely take excellent care of their animals.

This past October, the National Milk Producers Federation board of directors voted to make this animal care program mandatory for farmers marketing their milk through participating milk handlers. It’s MMPA’s goal to have all members enrolled in the program before the end of 2015.

The National Dairy FARM Program has increased its focus on documentation, requiring members to:

• Write standard operating procedures (SOPs) (in the animal caretaker’s native language) for animal care activities such as feeding calves, milking, caring for special needs animals and moving non-ambulatory animals • Post SOPs in a readily available area • Keep records indicating that animal caretakers have received annual training on applicable animal care procedures in employee files • Require employees to sign an employee code of ethics indicating their commitment to proper animal care and their responsibility to report any animal neglect or abuse they may witness to farm management MMPA has 89 percent of its milk supply enrolled in the program and continues to work toward having all members participate. Widespread participation in a common sense animal care program such as FARM is critical to showing consumers the dairy industry takes animal well-being seriously and continuously strives to improve animal care.

Members interested in getting more information on the National Dairy FARM Program or other MMPA services are encouraged to call their member representative or the Novi office.

NEWS & VIEWS

Section 179 Tax Credits Extended for 2014

Direct Deposit Schedule

Congress passed legislation on Dec. 16, 2014 extending the ability of farmers and small businesses to write off capital purchases immediately instead of over time by use.

members’ net milk proceeds to their bank account through the use of a

The so-called “tax extenders” bill reinstates Section 179 tax credits for 2014 only. National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and MMPA have strongly supported including the provision in legislation extending more than 50 expired tax breaks for one year. The bill passed the House, Senate and was signed by President Obama.

“Dairy farming requires significant investments in machinery and equipment,” NMPF President and CEO Jim Mulhern says. “By allowing producers to immediately write off these purchases, extending Section 179 gives producers a year-end incentive to invest in their businesses while it reduced their record-keeping burden.”

The MMPA direct deposit program provides for the direct deposit of 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.

JANUARY

JULY

January 16, Friday January 26, Monday

July 17, Friday July 27, Monday

FEBRUARY

AUGUST

February 17, Tuesday February 26, Thursday

August 17, Monday August 26, Wednesday

MARCH

SEPTEMBER

March 17, Tuesday March 26, Thursday

September 17, Thursday September 25, Friday

The maximum amount of annual expensing under the extension is $500,000, as it was in 2013. A 50 percent APRIL April 17, Friday bonus depreciation for the purchase April 27, Monday of new capital assets, including farm equipment, is included.

Upcoming Dates January

Messenger | January 2015

Local Meetings Continue (see schedule on page 14)

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29 MMPA Resolutions Committee Meeting

Novi, MI

February District Meetings (TBA)

5-7 Great Lakes Regional

Dairy Conference

Frankemuth, MI

OCTOBER October 16, Friday October 26, Monday

MAY

NOVEMBER

May 18, Monday May 26, Tuesday

November 17, Tuesday November 25, Wednesday

JUNE

DECEMBER

June 17, Wednesday June 26, Friday

December 17, Thursday December 28, Monday

November Prices Decrease The November Federal Order Class III price is $21.94 per hundredweight, down $1.88 from October, but $3.11 above November 2013. The November Class IV price is $18.21, down $3.14 from October, but $2.31 above November a year ago.

MMPA and Land O’Lakes present...

Calf Care Schools

February 10 Agro-Culture Liquid Fertilizer Headquarters, St. Johns (Spanish) February 11

GreenStone Farm Credit Services Headquarters, Lansing

February 12

Heritage Hall, Coldwater

Contact Marianne Gasiewski at the Novi office (800-572-5824, ext. 215) to register.

A $10 per person registration fee will be deducted from your milk check and will help defray the cost of lunch. Class size is limited to 30, so reserve your spot early!

District One

District Six

Carlton Evans, Litchfield ............................. 517-398-0629

Aaron Gasper, Lowell...................................... 616-897-2747

Perry Cisco, Hudson........................................ 517-547-3231

Jamie Meyer, Ionia........................................... 989-640-3372

Glenn Preston, Quincy................................... 517-639-4182

David Reed, Owosso....................................... 989-723-8635

Art Riske, Hanover........................................... 517-524-6015

Kris Wardin, St Johns...................................... 989-640-9420

District Two

District Seven

Donald Bever, Delton..................................... 269-671-5050

John Bennett, Prescott................................... 989-345-4264

Michael Oesch, Middlebury, IN................... 574-825-2454

Eric Bergdolt, Vassar....................................... 989-652-6500

Danny Ransler, Gobles................................... 269-628-4218

Rod Fowler, Chesaning................................... 989-845-6131

Richard Thomas, Middlebury, IN ................ 574-825-5198

Scott Kleinhardt, Clare................................... 989-386-8037

District Three

District Eight

Jim Good, Caledonia....................................... 616-891-1414

Mike Bender, Croswell ................................... 810-679-4782

Burke Larson, Scottville................................. 231-425-8988

Tim Kubacki, Sebewaing............................... 989-883-3249

David Pyle, Zeeland ....................................... 616-772-1512

Dale Phillips, Marlette.................................... 989-635-7917

Bill Stakenas, Freesoil..................................... 231-757-9340

Steve Schulte, Harbor Beach........................ 989-479-9339

District Four

At-Large

Marvin Rubingh, Ellsworth............................. 231-588-6084

Bill Blumerich, Berlin...................................... 810-395-2926

Dave Folkersma, Rudyard.............................. 906-478-3023

Pat Bolday, Emmett ........................................ 810-395-7139

Corby Werth, Alpena...................................... 989-379-3772

Mark Crandall, Battle Creek ......................... 269-660-2229

Jeremy Werth, Alpena.................................... 989-464-4022

James Droscha, Charlotte.............................. 517-543-5577

District Five

Scott Lamb, Jeddo .......................................... 810-327-6135

Bruce Benthem, McBain................................. 231-825-8182

David Lott, Mason.......................................... 517-676-4593

Tom Jeppesen, Stanton................................. 989-762-5399

Chuck White, Fowlerville............................... 517-521-3564

Bill Jernstadt, Big Rapids............................... 231-796-4650

Tom Wing, Bellevue......................................... 269-660-0498

Mike Rasmussen, Edmore.............................. 989-762-5380

Messenger | January 2015

MMPA Advisory Committee

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LEGISLATIVE WATCH

Clarify or Withdraw WOTUS Regulation, NMPF Tells EPA

NMPF has proposed a series of changes to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) controversial Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) regulation, asking either that its recommendations be included in the current draft, or that EPA withdraw and rewrite the rule.

In lengthy comments, NMPF stressed, above all, agriculture needs certainty on which waterways fall under the jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act (CWA), and which do not. It asked EPA to clarify numerous terms in the regulation, including “other waters,” “upland ditches,” ‘‘floodplain,’’ ‘‘tributary’’ and ‘‘significant nexus.”

In addition, NMPF urged that any final regulation exclude from federal jurisdiction intermittent streams and wetlands adjacent to excluded streams. NMPF also asked EPA to publish maps clearly indicating the features that make a waterway covered under the CWA.

“Clean water is essential to milk production, and the dairy industry is very willing to work with EPA to protect U.S. waters,” NMPF President and CEO Jim Mulhern said. “But EPA’s draft would only lead to more confusion and uncertainty around which waterways fall under the jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act.” NMPF submitted 23 pages of comments on the regulation, along with additional comments on EPA guidance for when farmers must seek CWA permits for a long list of normal farming activities near wetlands.

MMPA also submitted a letter to EPA, supporting NMPF’s comments and expressing its WOTUS concerns.

Messenger | January 2015

Issued in March, the draft WOTUS regulation expanded the waterways covered under the Clean Water Act to nearly all those connected to U.S. navigable waters. EPA received more than half a million comments on the rule.

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January 13, 2015

East Lansing, Michigan

January 14, 2015 Archbold, Ohio

Itts not too late.

We can help you with your resolutions and more at the 2015 Midwest Dairy Conference.

Register online at MDC.JBSUnited.com

MMPA Leaders’ Conference 2014 Highlights

L

ocal officers, delegates and dairy communicators gathered in force on Monday,

November 24 at the Kellogg Center in East Lansing for the annual MMPA Leaders’ Conference.

Joined by a panel of Michigan State University (MSU) faculty, Roxi Beck from the Center for Food Integrity (CFI) and Nell Kuhnmuench from Governmental Consultant Services Inc. (GCSI), members received an inside look at market trends, the dairy political landscape and recent MMPA expansion projects.

Starting off the agenda, a panel of MSU faculty – College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) Dean Fred Poston, Associate Dean and Director for Academic and Student Affairs Kelly Millenbah, Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine John Baker, Senior Associate Dean for Research and Director of AgBioResearch Doug Buhler, Associate Director of MSU Extension Ray Hammerschmidt, Animal Science Associate Chair and Professor John Shelle and Director of Stakeholder Relations Mike Kovacic – described the direction of CANR.

“A kickoff to the local meeting season, Leaders’ Conference is another way we try to keep our members informed about the future direction of the industry and their cooperative. It’s our chance to update our member-owners on what MMPA has been doing to add value to their farm businesses.”

—Joe Diglio, MMPA general manager

“This is the most exciting time in my tenure for undergraduate dairy programs,” Dr. Shelle says. “We have more students than ever and have a high-caliber group of faculty dedicated to preparing students for careers in the dairy industry. Our veterinary students and undergrads are getting hands-on dairy experience thanks to supportive MMPA members and the entire dairy industry.”

The final speaker of the morning was CFI Vice President Roxi Beck. She hit on the importance of educating consumers about on-farm practices and gave attendees tangible tips on starting conversations about GMOs with concerned consumers.

During the luncheon, emceed by 2014 Outstanding Young Dairy Cooperators (OYDC) Brian and

MMPA District 8 Wins the MMPAC Challenge Congratulations to District 8 for winning the 2014 MMPAC Challenge! District 8 had the highest percentage of members contribute to the Michigan Milk Political Action Committee Messenger | January 2015

(MMPAC) during the recent

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fundraising campaign. They will receive a matching gift of up to $1,000 designated toward the district’s choice of one of five charity organizations or youth foundations. Thank you to all of the members who have contributed to the MMPAC!

District 8 officers Debbie Kubacki (left) and Darwin Sneller (center) accept the 2014 MMPAC Challenge award from MMPA President Ken Nobis (right) during the 2014 Leaders’ Conference.

Carrie Preston, the MMPA MSU scholarship recipients were recognized along with the other district OYDCs. Senior Michigan Dairy Ambassador Representative Megan Bush addressed the crowd and raffled off two free registrations for the 2015 Great Lakes Regional Dairy Conference.

Wrapping up the luncheon, GCSI Director Nell Kuhnmuench gave members a recap of the 2014 state elections. “Even though the majority of voters were Democrats, the Republicans won a supermajority in the state Senate and the governor’s race. Looking ahead, road funding, changes to the state Electoral College system and the Civil Rights Act will likely be on the Michigan Legislature’s docket in 2015,” Nell says.

National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) program. He also emphasized the role MMPA and dairy farmers need to play in water quality.

“Year-over-year we’ve seen

“Water quality is a personal issue for us in agriculture. Sure, everyone uses water, but we live where we work,” Ken says. “It’s personal, and dairy farmers need to be part of the water quality solution.”

than the butter churn and reverse

Joe rounded out the conference program, sharing big-picture highlights from the 2014 fiscal year, relaying the creative strategies MMPA utilized to weather swings in dairy product prices and charting a course for another year of anticipated member growth.

growth in Michigan’s milk production, and we’ve processed more milk in our plants than ever before. But it’s going to take more osmosis equipment. Our goal is to position ourselves to be in a place where we can handle your increased production,” Joe says.

Overall, the conference provided a snapshot of the co-op’s progress and future outlook, setting the stage for three months of member meetings before the MMPA State Annual Delegate Meeting on March 19, 2015.

The afternoon program covered dairy market and industry news. MMPA President Ken Nobis highlighted the importance of signing up for the Dairy Margin Protection Program, being

MMPA members and staff kicked off the local meeting season in East Lansing on November 24 with cooperative updates and reports from MMPA partners, including Michigan State University.

Messenger | January 2015

part of environmental and political discussions and participating in the

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TOGETHER TO WARD TO MORROW

2014-2015 Local Meetings

MICHIGAN MILK PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION

Note: Information listed was available at press time. All members will receive complete meeting details mailed in the formal invitation.

LOCAL DATE LOCATION

TIME

Flint/Livingston Charter/Owosso Wednesday, Jan. 7

Gigi’s Banquet Center, Corunna

Noon

Grand Rapids

Wednesday, Jan. 7

Golden Corral Buffet, Walker

Noon

Dairyland

Thursday, Jan. 8

Bloomer Twp. Hall, Carson City

Noon

Mid-Michigan

Thursday, Jan. 8

Agro Liquid headquarters, St. Johns

11:45 a.m.

Alma

Friday, Jan. 9

Maxfield’s Restaurant, Wyman

11:30 a.m.

Hillman

Friday, Jan. 9

Hillman Community Center, Hillman

11:30 a.m.

Constantine

Saturday, Jan. 10

Siloam Fellowship, Goshen, IN

10:30 a.m.

Huron

Saturday, Jan. 10

Franklin Inn, Bad Axe

11:30 a.m.

Deford/Clifford-Mayville

Monday, Jan. 12

Lizzy’s American Diner, Caro

Noon

Adrian

Tuesday, Jan. 13

UAW Hall Hall, Adrian

Noon

Frankenmuth

Tuesday, Jan.13

Sullivan’s Black Forest Restaurant, Frankenmuth

Noon

Ingham County

Wednesday, Jan. 14

Brookshire Inn, Williamston

11:00 a.m.

Mid-Thumb

Wednesday, Jan. 14

Holly Meadows Golf Course, Capac

11:30 a.m.

West Michigan

Wednesday, Jan. 14

Zeeland Township Hall, Vriesland

11:30 a.m.

Evart

Thursday, Jan. 15

Rehoboth Reformed Church, McBain

11:00 a.m.

Muskegon

Thursday, Jan. 15

Russ’ Banquet Room, Muskegon

11:30 a.m.

Clare-Mt. Pleasant

Friday, Jan. 16

Clare Church of Nazarene, Clare

11:00 a.m.

Jackson County Plus

Wednesday, Jan. 21

Gene Davis & Sons, Jackson

Noon

Mid-Sanilac

Wednesday, Jan. 21

Liberty Lanes, Sandusky

11:30 a.m.

Hillsdale-Litchfield

Thursday, Jan. 22

Hillsdale County Fairgrounds, Hillsdale

Noon

Blossomland

Friday, Jan. 23

Zeke’s Restaurant, Dowagiac

Noon

Saline-Ann Arbor

Tuesday, Jan. 27

Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds, Ann Arbor

Noon

MMPA Locals by District (as of October 1, 2014) DISTRICT 1:

DISTRICT 3:

DISTRICT 5:

DISTRICT 7:

• Adrian

• Grand Rapids

• Alma

• Frankenmuth

• Hillsdale-Litchfield

• West Michigan

• Evart

• Sunrise

• Jackson County Plus

• Muskegon

• Dairyland

• Clare-Mt. Pleasant

DISTRICT 4:

DISTRICT 6:

• Hillman

• Mid-Michigan

DISTRICT 8:

DISTRICT 2:

• Chippewa County

• Owosso

• Huron

• Blossomland

• U.P. West Central

• Flint

• Mid-Sanilac

• Constantine

• Mid-Thumb

The mission of the Michigan Milk Producers Association is to market

MMPA members’ milk to the greatest advantage possible.

Messenger | January 2015

• Saline-Ann Arbor

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• Ingham County

• Kalamazoo • Barry-Eaton • Lansing

• Upstate

• Deford/Clifford/Mayville

• Livingston Charter

Program Offered on Effective Management of Farm Employees

The meeting will be offered January 27 and 28, 2015 at the Doubletree Hotel in Bay City and January 29 and 30 at the Hilton Hotel, Grand Rapids (Airport). The interactive meeting is designed to provide farm owners and managers a solid basis for building their business with employees using strategies from industry and MSU specialists.

Effective Management of Farm Employees meetings will begin at 5:30 p.m. with dinner on day one, providing an early opportunity for developing a peer network of likeminded people and beginning to share the issues facing farm operations. Session one, “Attracting Good Applicants in Today’s Job Environment,” is after dinner.

On day two, there are three sessions: “Building Teamwork on the Farm,” “Capitalizing on Your Employee’s Desire to Learn” and “Achieving High Quality Performance.”

The program concludes with lunch.

Complete information and online registration is available at http://events.anr.msu.edu/ManagingEmployees/. The cost to attend is $160 for the first participant from a farm and $140 for each additional participant. Space is limited and early registration is encouraged.

Speakers for this dynamic program include:

Lori Culler, CEO of AgHires, an online job board and recruiting firm, who has over 13 years of talent management experience providing management consulting services in the agriculture industry.

Phil Durst and Stan Moore, MSU Extension senior educators, who have led a project interviewing 174 farm employees and developing recommendations to improve employee management.

Felix Soriano, CEO of APN Consulting, a dairy consulting business that believes the large herd manager’s success depends on getting things done through others, and, therefore, works to help producers become excellent communicators and leaders of well-trained, talented and skilled employees.

Corey Risch, MSU assistant professor, whose experience includes working as a farm business consultant for Clemson University where she provided financial and management consulting services to farmers and agribusinesses in South Carolina.

Matt Wood, regional sales manager with Vita Plus Corporation, who has worked as a fulltime dairy specialist for Vita Plus in the Thumb area for 10 years, consulting with dairy clients on their farm management and nutrition.

Developing your skills in employee management is the key to taking your farm business to the next level of performance. For more information or questions, contact Phil Durst at 989-387-5346 or durstp@msu.edu or Stan Moore at 231-533-8818 or moorest@msu.edu.

Messenger | January 2015

E

mployees on the farm either drive the operation forward or they hold it back. The difference is often in the way farm owners and managers work with their employees. The Michigan State University Extension Dairy Team has put together a meeting on Effective Management of Farm Employees to help farm owners and managers develop their skills and perspective for better management of employees.

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Faith, Family and Farming 2014 MMPA District 5 OYDC Dries and Jamie Dodde Growing up in the same little town, Dries and Jamie Dodde were raised to walk by faith, prioritize family and live a farming lifestyle. Now, they use the same three Fs to raise a family of their own, continuing the Dodde agricultural legacy on their Falmouth dairy farm.

“I always loved growing up on a farm,” Jamie says. “But I would not have guessed I’d be married to a farmer and living just a few miles from my family’s dairy. Now I’m blessed to be able to raise my own family on a farm and instill the same work ethic and values my parents passed on to me.”

Yet, despite their proximity (even attending the same high school) Dries and Jamie’s story didn’t begin until long after graduation.

All About the Cows

Messenger | January 2015

Originally set on a career in education, it only took three semesters of college in Iowa to convince Dries the family farm was where he belonged. He came back to work fulltime on the dairy in 2001, farming in partnership with his father, Harold, and brother, Chad.

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In fact, Dries was so busy taking care of his cows, the only women in his life from the time he came back to the farm until 2011 had four legs and spots.

With nearly 500 bovines, a wife, three daughters and a son, Dries’ days of bachelorhood are long gone. But his passion for cows continues to grow.

“I’m a sap for animals,” Dries admits.

“Working with cows is my favorite part of the job and there’s nothing I get

more satisfaction from than helping heal a sick cow or watching an animal grow from a small calf into a productive member of the milking herd.”

The farm’s primary herdsman, Dries helps with fieldwork, but enjoys spending the majority of his time with the cows. He heads up the operation’s calf care, breeding and herd health while doing his fair share of milking.

“I’m a dairy farmer because I like to be out farming. Even when I’m away from the farm, I’m continuously thinking of which cows I need to move and calves I need to wean when I get home,” Dries says.

Quantity and Quality Touting MMPA bronze, silver and gold milk quality awards, the Doddes focused on milk quality before SCC became a buzz word. Located in an

area rich in farmland and bursting at the seams with high-quality milk, Dries credits a supportive, driven agricultural community as part of the farm’s success.

“We live in an area where low bacteria counts are the norm. We know that taking excellent care of our cows results in superior quality milk, and people like to buy quality milk,” he relays. “From the start, it’s always been a team effort with all three of us having a voice in decision making. Dad, Chad and I work together and talk through issues to ensure our farm is the best it can be.”

Despite battling weather and other factors outside of their control, the Doddes’ mantra is: do the best with what’s in front of you and tomorrow, get up, and do it again. Their commitment to consistent, high-quality milking procedures and willingness to

listen to suggestions from all members of the management team have helped the farm’s production rise and SCC fall.

“If you’re going to show up to work every day, you might as well try to be good at what you do,” Dries explains.

“Growing up, my mom and dad made a concerted effort to teach us the importance of zeroing in on milk quality and doing all the little things right. Eventually those little efforts became habits, and we’ve achieved recognition for our quality at the state and national level.”

Successful Start to Succession

“My mom and dad started the conversation, and we brought in our accountant to get the process started,” Dries explains. “Chad and I have slowly been buying into the operation and purchasing land for years. Sure, we just started the process, but we’re going into it knowing my dad started this farm from nothing, and we owe all that we’ve built to the groundwork he laid.”

Aside from transition plans, Dodde Farms is at a crossroads. The balance sheet is indicating it’s time to double the herd or find other enterprises to bring in extra income.

Only time will tell, but one thing is for certain; no matter the outcome, the family will weigh all the options and take a next step like they’ve taken every other change to this point: together.

Dries Dodde uses activity monitors to improve conception rates on his family’s 250-head dairy in Falmouth.

Dries and Jamie Dodde District 5 OYDC | Evart Local Children: Nicholas (10), Morgan (9), Leah (2) and Gracie (2 months) Herd Size: 220 milking, 30 dry Replacements: 290 Acres Farmed: 1,000 Crops Grown: Alfalfa, corn, wheat Milking Regiment: Two-a-day milking in a double-6 parabone parlor Sustainable Practices: Strip tillage, cover crops, recycled plate cooler water Breeding Program: AI Education: Dries and Jamie graduated from Northern Michigan Christian Academy in 1999 and 1996, respectively. Dries studied education and agriculture at Dordt College for three semesters.

Jamie earned an associate’s degree in business administration from Baker College in 1998.

Certifications/Training: National Dairy FARM Program

Messenger | January 2015

While some families may struggle to get along during a three-hour family Christmas meal, dairy farmers manage to live around and work with family 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Even more impressive, the Doddes have found a way to broach the subject of transition planning without inciting a family feud.

17

Follow the Herd to Lower SCC

By Lyndsay Earl, Member Representative

MMPA can proudly say our members consistently maintain excellent milk quality standards and have one of the lowest somatic cell counts (SCC) in the nation. Every year, we have several producers who are recognized at the national level for their quality achievements. When we look at a list of our top quality farms, we notice some common practices that help ensure great milk quality on their farms:

Why are these factors so important?

Clear, well-communicated goals – Farms with low SCCs typically have established milk quality goals and have communicated theses goals to employees. It is also important to let employees know where the quality stands relative to the goals. It is difficult for employees to meet goals if they don’t know the current quality results.

A specific, consistent milking routine – Cows love consistency!

Spelling out a specific milking routine with employees helps maintain consistent procedures between all shifts.

Training – Train employees on the routine the farm has developed.

Whether it’s the routine MMPA teaches at Milker Training Schools (MTS) or a variation of the routine that works best for the specific farm, all employees need to be trained on the same routine.

Clean cattle environment –Clean housing means clean cows. Clean

Clear, well-communicated goals

cows are easier to prep. Limiting the number of bacteria on or near teat

A specific, consistent milking routine

Properly functioning milking equipment – Poorly functioning

Training Clean cattle environment Properly functioning milking equipment

ends at milking time reduces mastitis cases.

milking equipment can be detrimental to udder health. Don’t let your equipment cancel out a quality, consistent milking routine.

Are you implementing these practices on your farm? Would you like to be, but don’t know where to start? Let us help!

Milker Training School Registration ____________________________________________________________________________________ Name _____________________________________________________________________________________ Address _____________________________________________________________________________________ Telephone

Messenger | January 2015

_____________________________________________________________________________________ Producer Permit Number

18

_____________________________________________________________________________________ Date & Location of Session

Number of people attending

To register, complete and return this form to: MMPA Milker Training School, - Member Services Dept.

P.O. Box 8002, Novi, MI 48376-8802 You may also register via phone or email. Contact: Marianne Gasiewski at 248-474-6672 or Gasiewski@mimilk.com

MTS can serve as a valuable resource for milk quality information and can help bring all of these concepts together.

Allow us to offer the knowledge, tools and training necessary to help you achieve, or even exceed, your milk quality goals.

Find the MTS nearest you!

2015 Milker Training School Dates & Locations Registration: 9:30 a.m.

Program: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Lunch is provided

Michigan Dairy Memorial and Scholarship Foundation

February 10 Osceola County Fairgrounds Evart

February 11 St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Hale

February 17 Shipshewana Event Center Shipshewana, Ind. Kilpatrick United Brethren Church Woodland (English)

February 25 Kilpatrick United Brethren Church Woodland (Spanish)

March 24 Evergreen Township Hall Decker

April 14 Freedom Township Hall Manchester

April 29 Menominee County Extension Service Stephenson

April 30 Rudyard Christian Reformed Church Rudyard

When the occasion suggests flowers, consider a living, growing tribute. Make a contribution to Michigan Dairy Memorial and Scholarship Foundation where the earnings provide scholarships to worthy students in dairy industry-related fields.

MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: Michigan State University DESIGNATE: Michigan Dairy Memorial and Scholarship Foundation (A10901) MAIL TO: Dr. Miriam Weber Nielsen Department of Animal Science Michigan State University 1250 Anthony Hall, 474 S. Shaw Lane East Lansing, MI 48824-1225

Messenger | January 2015

February 24

19

Constantine Lead Production Supervisor Ed Lloyd (center) stands in front of the RO system with the equipment’s four operators (left to right) Mike Outman, Chris Huddleston, Tim Conklin and Joe Randazzo.

Cooperation Among Cooperatives Reverse Osmosis (RO) Adds 1 Million Pounds of Processing Capacity to MMPA Constantine Plant On December 4, just four months

“Michigan’s milk supply is growing

Showcasing the power and efficiency of

after approval from the Michigan

at a rate of 3 to 4 percent per year, so

cooperation among cooperatives, the

investing in a project like the RO helps

first phase of MMPA and Foremost Farms’

us keep pace with the growing milk

partnership finished on time and on

production in our region. The MMPA-

budget, onboarding technology to better

Foremost Farms strategic alliance is

serve the cooperatives’ member-owners.

Milk Producers Association (MMPA) board of directors, the first full load of raw milk concentrate left the MMPA Constantine Plant, destined

a great example of the true spirit of a

for a Foremost Farms USA cheese

cooperative — working together for

plant in Wisconsin. Processed by a

the betterment of all. It’s a win-win for

reverse osmosis (RO) system owned

by Foremost Farms and housed and

Messenger | January 2015

operated by MMPA, the load marked

20

a new chapter in MMPA history.

the Michigan dairy industry, achieving transportation efficiencies and helping market increased member milk production,” Joe Diglio, MMPA general manager, says.

Waste No Time, Waste No Water Increasing Constantine’s processing capacity from 1 to 2 million pounds was no small feat; yet both cooperatives set an aggressive timeline to accomplish construction, installation and commissioning. Case in point: a

Constantine RO Timeline March MMPA and Foremost Farms initiate talks about strategic alliance opportunities

August 1

August 1

MMPA and Demolition and Foremost Farms remodeling of sign Constantine RO existing warehouse project contract to house RO equipment begins

August 1

September 23

September 29

Contractors begin building a new load-out bay and silo vestibule

RO equipment installation begins

Installation of eight new (and relocation of one preexisting) silos begins

lineup of excavation equipment idled outside Constantine’s gates on August 1, ready and waiting for word that the board had approved the project.

“When we were quoting the RO construction with various contractors, more than one gave us a doubtful smirk when we shared our deadlines,” Dave Davis, Constantine plant manager, says.

“To be honest, those of us putting the project together didn’t know whether we’d be able to get it done on time either.

It took a concerted effort by everyone involved to achieve this milestone.”

With anywhere from 20 to 60 contractors working on the project daily, the majority of construction occurred during third shift to minimize disruptions to the plant’s regular operations. Despite a daily onslaught of construction equipment and activity, milk throughput never declined.

The project involved adding eight silos, upsizing pumps and piping in receiving, constructing two additional load-out bays and renovating a warehouse to

house the RO. MMPA invested in the project’s infrastructure and will take the lead on RO management; though MMPA and Foremost Farms member farms are both supplying a portion of the milk processed with the RO. “We were anxious to be part of this project because it allowed Constantine to grow and help serve our memberowners. It increased the security of our plant and cemented the value our facility brings, not only to the co-op, but to the dairy industry as a whole,” Dave says.

In addition to reducing transportation costs and hauler fuel emissions by a third, the RO adds another level of sustainability to the Constantine operation. During the RO process, two-thirds of the raw milk volume is separated as pure water. But this byproduct isn’t just dumped down the drain. Rather, the resulting pure water from the RO process (75,000 gallons per day) is used to clean the equipment. (continued on page 22)

Ed Lloyd checks liquid flow in the RO.

What is RO and why are we using it?

The reverse osmosis (RO) process, in the simplest sense, uses high pressure filtration to concentrate the milk solids in raw milk, removing water in the process. The same process, on a much smaller scale, is used in homes to separate drinking water from nitrates.

The RO enables three trucks of milk solids to be concentrated down to one, saving transportation costs and improving efficiency.

In Constantine, raw milk is screened for antibiotics, offloaded and stored in raw milk silos. When it’s ready to be processed, the milk is pumped through the RO machine where it’s pushed through nine membrane loops at 450 psi. The membranes and pressure force all the water in milk to the center of the piping while milk solids are caught on the outside.

While raw milk contains 12 percent solids, the RO raw milk concentrate holds 34 percent solids.

Resembling condensed milk (or PET milk), the raw milk concentrate is loaded on trucks and transported to Foremost Farms cheese plants to be used as a raw-milk additive, increasing milk solids levels and improving the efficiency of the cheese-making process.

November 24

December 3

December 4

December 17

May

First RO run with water

First test run of RO with milk

First load of RO raw milk concentrate departs Constantine

RO running at current maximum capacity (1 million pounds/day)

Phase two targeted completion date (increasing capacity by an additional 1 million pounds/day)

Messenger | January 2015

Constantine Bulk Milk Receiver Jeff Miller monitors the status of trucks in receiving, unloading in half the time thanks to new pumps and piping.

21

(Constantine RO continued from page 21)

Redefining COOPERATE-ive

Full Steam Ahead

Boiled down, the RO story is a testament to the power of cooperation. “Foremost Farms formed a great, technical team to help pull off this project. We have really enjoyed working with and learning from them, and I believe the end result is something better than either co-op could have come up with on its own,” Dave explains.

But the end of this phase doesn’t mean a reprieve for the Constantine team.

The plant will continue operating in a state of construction for the next five months, moving ahead to phase two of the MMPA-Foremost Farms strategic alliance. The goal of the next phase is operating the RO during all three shifts, increasing capacity by another 1 million pounds of milk.

Even an outsider could pick up on the excitement at Constantine as MMPA and Foremost Farms employees – salaried and hourly, plant and corporate – have come together with contractors, regulators and local government to pull off an eight-month project in five.

“We set out to find a partner in Michigan to support a critical business need Foremost Farms had, to find a processing home for an unprecedented amount of milk growth in the region,” Dirk Tachick, Foremost Farms USA senior vice

“Phase two in 2015 will be about milk balancing and flexibility. We will add storage, receiving capacity and double RO processing to 2 million pounds per day. The RO will help both cooperatives balance the Michigan milk supply to a much greater degree. The cream separators and additional silos will allow us some flexibility at managing the milk supply for the benefit of both cooperatives.”

Messenger | January 2015

“This has been a positive partnership because the Foremost Farms and MMPA teams formed a positive and constructive working environment,” Ed Lloyd, Constantine lead production supervisor, says.

It’s going to take additional expansion on the intake and load-out sides of the operation, but MMPA and Foremost Farms management and employees are confident they can pull it off.

president-manufacturing and lead representative on the project, says.

“Michigan Milk was not only facing the same situation, but they matched our business philosophies, and we had confidence both cooperatives would roll up their sleeves and complete phase one. That is exactly what happened.

We were on time, on budget and there was effective collaboration across both cooperatives to get the job done.

22

MMPA and Foremost Farms leadership poses in front of the newly installed RO. Pictured in the back row (left to right) are Marc Hopkins, Ed Lloyd, Jesse Mahoney and Jeremiah Fawley. The front row includes (left to right) Doug Rasmussen, Dave Davis, Merl Jones and Cash Molski

13TH ANNUAL

Great Lakes Regional Dairy Conference Slated for Feb. 5–7 in Frankenmuth Friday morning’s lineup features a range of topics

Great Lakes Regional Dairy Conference

looking at improving efficiencies on the farm.

(GLRDC) Feb. 5-7, 2015, at the Bavarian Inn

Presentations range from an intricate look at how

and Conference Center in Frankenmuth, Mich.,

management, genetics and nutrition impact the

will receive the latest information on managing the

reproductive efficiency of the cow to how silage,

challenges of dairy farming.

Shredlage and improved kernel processing can lead

Consumers expect high-quality, safe and nutritious dairy products produced in a socially, economically and environmentally responsible way. This year’s conference will focus on techniques, tools and strategies to deliver the type of dairy products consumers expect.

The conference kicks off Thursday with a look at the future of the dairy industry, from the local farm to the global market. Attendees will learn strategies to excel as the industry advances and producers plan to meet

to nutritional efficiencies. After learning strategies for making cows more sustainable through reproduction and nutrition, attendees will learn how to improve the farm’s overall sustainability through simple changes, which could have a profound impact on reducing the industry’s environmental footprint and producing a more desirable and profitable product.

Friday afternoon, attendees will have the choice of three educational workshops:

future needs on their farms. Presentations will include:

1. On-farm Crisis Preparedness

• Which cow produces the most money for every dollar of

2. Easy, Affordable On-farm Energy

input, and how feed and water supply will continue to affect management decisions on the farm • Where the global industry is headed and how it will affect the farm’s bottom line • How to focus on margins, not ratios, by focusing on money-

Conservation to Boost Your Bottom Line 3. Dairy Reproduction and Nutrition Question and Answer Session In addition to educational sessions, producers will have the opportunity to attend breed meetings.

corrected milk, and how to determine the combination of fluid

The Michigan Holstein Association will conduct its

milk, butterfat, protein, feed rations and genetics to make the

annual meeting on Friday, from 3:30 to 5 p.m.

most economic sense for the farm

The Michigan Brown Swiss and Jersey associations

• How to excel in an ever-changing industry by staying ahead

will follow, conducting their annual meetings on

of the curve and establishing the factors most critical in

Saturday starting at 9 a.m.

evaluating decisions on the farm

Individual (adult), student and farm registration options

The Exhibitor Showcase, Excellence in Dairy Award and

are available. Registrations received before Jan. 16,

the Dairy Challenge Presentation round out the day.

2015, will save up to $25 per day. Online registration

Be sure to also check out the Great Lakes Commercial

closes Feb. 1, 2015, at midnight. On-site registrations

Heifer Extravaganza X Sale.

are subject to availability.

Visit www.glrdc.msu.edu for the complete conference schedule or to register online.

Participants can also register by phone by calling 517-884-7089.

Messenger | January 2015

D

airy producers attending the 13th annual

23

Keep the Lights On Ramping Up Milk Production with Long-Day Lighting

S

omething is changing in Bellevue. “My cows are calmer, cleaner and produce more than they ever have,” Tom Wing says with a smile.

No, the Wings didn’t install robotic milkers. They haven’t changed rations. And yes, they are still milking twice-a-day. But soaking up 16 hours of sunny-day-like light, the Wings’ herd is starting to illuminate the positive production potential of long-day lighting.

Long-Day Lighting 101 The premise of long-day lighting (LDL) is that consistently increasing the perceived length of day stimulates milk production. Research shows increasing a dairy herd’s daily light photoperiod to 16-18 hours of 15-20 foot-candles (fc) light, followed by a “dark” period of six to eight hours of less than 3fc of light can increase milk production by 5 to 10 percent. Bottom line: more light period exposure means more feed

Tom and Heather Wing Olivia and Arrin) have increased milk production by 10 percent after implementing long-day

Messenger | January 2015

lighting in January 2013.

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Heather Wing have taken part in a long-day lighting research study since last January. Touting over 10 percent production increases through November, the couple has found a way to increase production without adding cows.

The production gains are impressive, however, implementing LDL isn’t as easy as leaving the lights on for a few extra hours each day.

“Consistency is paramount,” Al Go, MSU specialist and LDL project leader, says. “Successful LDL systems must be completely automated because it’s impossible to achieve consistent, barn-wide lighting using only human observation and control. Disruptions in the routine and lighting cycle could negate any potential production gains.”

Acing the Hardware To achieve necessary timing and light intensity throughout the barn, farmers must work closely with lighting manufacturers and suppliers to design a customized lighting layout. Suppliers use specialized light meters to measure barn lighting intensity, creating a blueprint for lighting fixture placement. The Michigan Farm Energy Program is willing to review these recommendations, ensuring they fulfill LDL lighting thresholds in agricultural settings.

(pictured with daughters

Through a Michigan Energy Office grant awarded to Michigan State University’s Michigan Farm Energy Program, MMPA members Tom and

per day during their dry period.

For growing heifers, LDL lighting has been found to increase weight gain, feed efficiency and growth of mammary parenchyma.

consumption (about 3.5 percent) and an increase in milk yield. Production gains aren’t typically realized until after a two month lag time with consistent LDL implementation.

Lighting period control has also been found to impact dry cows and heifers as well. Dry cows accustomed to LDL can produce 6.8 more pounds daily during their first 120 days in milk if exposed to eight hours of light

Regardless of lighting type, successful LDL is contingent on its accuracy and consistency. “The automated sensors and control systems make LDL work. The lights are secondary,” Al says. “If the sensor and control systems fail to accurately measure light at the cows’ eyes – either standing or lying down – and adjust light intensity accordingly, the cycle can be disrupted. Plus, the system needs to ensure proper timing of gradual light-on and lightoff routines with back-up power.”

Shedding Light on the Challenges While more affordable options (including high pressure sodium lights, compact fluorescents and high intensity discharge lamps) are available, the Wings utilized LEDs from CBM Lighting in Rodney for the research study. Boasting maximum efficiency and being the only truly dimmable light, LEDs use proportionally less energy when dimmed unlike other lighting types. Yet, they carry a hefty price tag.

“We wouldn’t have gone with LEDs without the grant’s cost-share program.

But, the LEDs have really boosted our lighting efficiency. Even with an increase in the number of lights and hours of usage, our bill hasn’t increased,” Tom relays.

Before beginning the project, Al and the Wings calculated, assuming a 5 percent increase in production based on $15/cwt. milk, the system’s payback period would be three to four years (including increased feed and energy costs). With 2014’s milk prices and better-than-expected production increases, that timetable has been accelerated to just under a year.

Three-a-day milking systems present even more obstacles; achieving the necessary number of light and dark hours while accommodating three milkings could be challenging. It is hypothesized production gains may not be as significant, thus lengthening the payback period.

Pleasant Unintended Consequences While the obstacles may appear daunting even compared to the potential production gains, the Wings have realized other benefits to upgrading their lighting systems.

Tom explains, “It was like changing an analog television to HD. We had an old, outdated lighting system, but we didn’t realize how poor it was until we upgraded. We have noticed problems with our freestalls and cows we would have previously missed.”

And Tom and Heather aren’t the ones enjoying the light’s added clarity. Typically spooked by shadows cast from insufficient lighting and

unfamiliar sounds, the Wing’s herd used to clump together in groups.

Close cow proximity resulted in dirtier cows.

Uniformly increasing the light intensity has caused the cows to use the entire barn again, spreading out, calming down and staying cleaner.

So much so Tom practically has to pry the cows out of bed for the morning milking.

“Looking back, we would do it all over again. We’ve seen the payback in our milk check, and Tom and our employees have noticed a real difference in our cows,” Heather says.

“We’d encourage all MMPA members to conduct an energy audit with an MMPA member representative to evaluate possible energy savings on their farms and determine if LDL is right for them.”

To learn more about LDL and other potential farm energy-saving solutions, contact an MMPA energy auditor listed on page 39.

Messenger | January 2015

As lighting technology continues to improve, prices are beginning to decline. However, with a limited number of lighting distributors involved in on-farm applications, finding compatible automated sensors and control systems to implement LDL can be difficult.

25

TOGETHER 2014-2015 MMPA TO WARD TO MORROW Awards Quality

MICHIGAN MILK PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION

D

uring local meetings, MMPA will present quality awards to 520 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.

This year, MMPA will award 343 bronze, 141 silver and 36 gold awards.

Bronze quality awards are presented to MMPA members who met both quality premium categories (10,000 or less raw bacteria and 20,000 or less PI count) and maintained a somatic cell count of 250,000 or less for nine or more months out of the previous fiscal year.

Silver quality awards are presented to those members who met the same criteria as in the bronze award category for 12 months out of the previous fiscal year.

Gold quality awards are presented to members who met the same criteria as in the silver award category and averaged a somatic cell count of 100,000 or less during the previous fiscal year.

Star awards will be presented to those members who have received a quality award for five (one star), 10 (two stars), 15 (three stars) or 20 (four stars) consecutive years.

ADRIAN LOCAL Gold Marvin Farms Inc.

Silver Eric & Randy Bleich Perry Cisco* Hartland Farms Inc.* Gary A. Middleton Matthew Smith

Bronze Timothy D. Brasher Dwight Mansfield Long Haven Farms Martinline LLC Terry L. Norden Ries Pine Ridge Dairy Farm Stoutcrest Farms Vissers Dairy LLC Whelan Farms

Messenger | January 2015

Bebow Dairy Inc. Bollinger Farms LLC Bruce Carey Double Eagle Dairy Inc. Dragt Farms**** Joel Ensz Basil Ervin, Jr. Friesen Farms Inc. Kent L. Inniger Kenneth Kosten Bruce A. Litwiller Kevin & Ronald Litwiller Glen H. Miller Shelly & Laura Nesbitt Cory & Gary Nielsen De Grins Oer Dairy Albern Olson Paulen Farms Inc. Pine Hills Dairy LLC** Kenneth Vredenburg

Gold

BARRY-EATON LOCAL

Spring Lake Farms LLC****

Gold

Silver

Crandall Dairy Farm LLC Halbert Dairy Farm LLC Ladine Farms

ALMA LOCAL

Bebow Dairy Inc. Ronald & Lewis Brecht Carter Farms LLC Chapin Family Farm LLC Lad & Agnes Doolittle Double-B Dairy Cindy Eldred Troy Haynes William Hough Dairy Inc. Jeff & Larry Nielsen Oberlin Farms LLC Chad Peters Doeke & Melissa Prins S & T Farms PTP TLC Dairy Vanderploeg Holsteins II LLC

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Bronze

Silver Chase Crest Hill Farms Greg & Paul Endsley Hammond Dairy Farm LLC Thomas & Heather Wing

Bronze B & K Farms LLC Burdock Hills Dairy LLC Brent & Nina Butler Cary Dairy Farms Inc. Miller Vue Farm Schuurmans Dairy Farm Inc.*

Bronze Gamble Family Jerry, Jerry, Jr. & Terry Koebel Floyd & Gordon Nesbitt

CHIPPEWA COUNTY LOCAL Bronze David & Tammy Bell David A. Lamb Taylor Creek Farm LLC Melvin G. Thorne

CLARE-MT. PLEASANT LOCAL Silver H. Brushaber Sons Farm LLC Elton F. Dubois Gross Dairy Farms Inc. House Dairy LLC Robert S. Millard Rick L. Newman

Bronze Clark Dairy Farm LLC* Martin C. Fox Judge Dairy Farm Inc. John Koch Le Var Farms LLC** James & Mary Ann

Miller Family Paul S. Miller Stevens Farms Herbert Alan Varney & Herbert J. Varney, Jr.

CONSTANTINE LOCAL Gold Thaddaeus Coning Olen J. Fry*

Silver Dave & Lorene Beechy Milton D. Bontrager * Philip D. Bontrager Ervin L. Eash Ira L. Hochstetler Vernon & Vernon Hochstetler Marlin Hoover Glen F. Miller**** Vernon R. Miller Marvin M. Shrock David E. Yoder Freeman E. Yutzy

Bronze Alvin D. Bontrager Daniel A. Bontrager Daniel Jay Bontrager David Bontrager, Jr. Ferman R. Bontrager Floyd O. Bontrager John D. Bontrager Karl M. Bontrager Neal L. Borkholder Marvin E. Eash Lamar J. Eash Jake R. Eicher John E. Eicher Michael M. Graber Victor H. Graber Larry M. Hershberger Harley H. Lambright Jerry D. Lehman Perry N. Lehman Alva Lengacher Glen R. Mast Harley J. Mast Calvin F. Miller Clyde S. Miller* David H. Miller Dennis E. Miller Devon J. Miller Wilbur P. Miller Lavern D. Miller Lavern D. Miller Leroy E. Miller Matthew D. Miller Marlin M. Miller Omer F. Miller Raymond L. Miller Perkins Twin Creek Farm Inc. Dorvin Shaum Jacob W. Weaver Andrew M. Wenger Ernest Wengerd Samuel M. Wengerd Devon Ray Yoder Enos H. Yoder Harvey & Lamar Yoder Lyle D. Yoder Maynard Yoder Norman L. Yoder Phillip, Esther & Nathan Yoder Virgil D. Yoder Verlin J. Yoder Jason & Minerva Zimmerman Rufus B. Zimmerman Carl Zook*

DAIRYLAND LOCAL Gold Wilson Centennial Farm LLC Leroy O. & Ella M. Zimmerman **

Bronze D & J Dairy LLC Mervin G. Dailey Anson K. Martin Allen & Eileen Ramer Titus B. Zimmerman

DEFORD/CLIFFORDMAYVILLE LOCAL Silver Calvin J. Bodeis Meadow Muth Farms LLC* Keith & Jane Wood

Bronze Edward, Sandra & Steven Adamic Paramount Enterprises Dairy LLC Sunrise Dairy White Creek Dairy Inc.

Bronze Aris Dairy Farm LLC Jerry A. Beerens Benthem Brothers Inc. Benthem Homestead Farms Inc. Ronald J. Brinks Buning Dairy Farm LLC Gaylord & Gerald Denslow Daniel Diener Doddedale Farms End Road Farm**** Bradley & Carrol Fox Gilde Farms LLC Kerwin J. Hamming Lee’s Woodland Farm LLC James A. Oudman Rudvan Family Farms LLC Andrew Leon Stanley Travis Stanley Star City Farm Inc. Kenneth & Carol Tebos Nathan Webster Yonkman Dairy Zuiderveen Farms Zuiderveen Farms

FLINT LOCAL

EVART LOCAL

Silver

Gold

Cole Riverview Farms Inc. K & K Kern Farms LLC

Harold, Matthew, Michael & Robert Cnossen Keith A. Deruiter Dick Haven Farms LLC Mark F. Diemer **** Tacoma Dairy Inc. Van Polen Farms Wirth Farms LLC

Silver Bode Valley Farm Inc. Dale A. Brinks Jerry Mitchell & Christina Carmichael Daniel Dezeeuw Dairy LLC David L. Dezeeuw Leon Hamming Many Blessings Dairy Inc. North Acres Dairy Schooley Farm LLC William Stein Sunny Side Dairy Jonathan Lee Taylor

Bronze Apple Dairy Corp.

Wagner Dairy Farms LLC Weil Dairy Farm

FRANKENMUTH LOCAL Silver Fowler Dairy LLC Petzold Dairy Farms LLC**** Wardin Brothers Dairy LLC Richard R. Wardin

Bronze Eric J. Frahm Haubenstricker Dairy Farm LLC Dennis W. Hetzner Schumacher & Sons

Farms LLC

TOGETHER TO WARD TO MORROW MICHIGAN MILK PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION

Messenger | January 2015

BLOSSOMLAND LOCAL

27

GRAND RAPIDS LOCAL Gold Potgeter Farms

Silver Marten & Sharlene Brower Med-O-Bloom Farms LLC Stoney Hill Farm Inc.

Bronze Franklin S. Bowman Fisk Farms Klamer Farms Inc. Stephen & Denise Knox Kenneth Leseman Mark & Cheryl Richmond L & E Robinson Farms LLC James Schaendorf

HILLMAN LOCAL Silver Brian Centala* Chippewa Dairy LLC Risky Endeavor Dairy Skudlarek Dairy Farm

Bronze Butterwerth Dairy Farm LLC Christensen Farms Grams Farms Todd Hemmingson J & D Dairy Inc. Jerome Larson Lucas Dairy Farms LLC Nathan & Jodie Mitchell John, Matthew & Kathleen Noffze Robert J. Troy Fred, Corby & Cody Werth Eric & Janel Woodward Ervin Lee Yoder Joseph P. Zbytowski Kevin, Karen & Travis Zbytowski

HILLSDALELITCHFIELD LOCAL Messenger | January 2015

Gold

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Easterday Dairy Farm Pleasant View Dairy

Silver Christopher & Beth Brenner Drakeland Farms LLC** Ferry Farms LLC Richard & Patricia Hawkins Herman’s Holsteins LLC Donald Lindsey

Bronze Dale & Carol Baker Matthew S. Dunks David, Cecelia, Carlton & Carol Evans Ferris Farms Chris Hassenzahl Michael E. Moore Pleasant View Dairy Judith M. Poling Wildt Farms Jeffrey & Joseph Willson Daniel L. Williams

HURON LOCAL Gold Clunis Dairy Oak River Dairy LLC

Silver

Mar Jo Lo Farms Marten Family Dairy LLC Casey Moore Rapid Ridge Farms LLC Risch Farms Ri-Val-Re Farms Larry L. Steffey

JACKSON COUNTY PLUS LOCAL Silver Grand Valley Farms Choate’s Belly Acres

Bronze Hillside Dairy Farms Riske Farms

KALAMAZOO LOCAL

Delcath Farms Loren J. Mazure Nugent’s Farm Dairy Starward Farm

Gold

Bronze

Silver

Robert, Robert & Veronica Dallas Gusa Dairy Farms Gregory & Shelly Messing & Ashley Kennedy Joseph & Valerie Kubacki Timothy & Debra Kubacki David J. Leavine William C. Mazure R L S Dairy Inc. John C. Richmond & Sons Dairy Farm Rose Valley Dairy LLC S & M Dairy Inc.* Sunrise Dairy LLC Te Voortwis Dairy LLC Daniel Van Erp Zielland Farms

Demann Farms LLC*** Louis Fifelski Melvin T. Puschel

INGHAM COUNTY LOCAL Silver MSU Dairy - Dept. of Animal Science

Bronze Clona Farms LLC* Curtis Family Farms LLC Fogle Farms Graf Acres LLC Linda Grettenberger Kubiak Family Farms David Lyon

Andrew W. Johnson Ver Hage Dairy Farm**** Webers Meadow LLC

Bronze Clearview Dairy Farm LLC K & W Dairy Kevin Dykstra Timothy & Charles Hood & Tamara Spicher James C. Jackson* Craig & Linda Jo Newland Penney Farms Rodney Pillars* Victor Puschel Scales Prairie Farm

LANSING LOCAL Silver Marvin & Wayne Hochstetler Chris, Kristina, Hans & Patricia Langmaack* Ritter Farms

LIVINGSTON CHARTER LOCAL Silver Larry & Karen Adams Donal Farm LLC Charles & Janet White

Bronze Clarinda Farms LLC

MID-MICHIGAN LOCAL Gold Lew-Max Holstein LLC Steven C. Roth Simon Dairy Farm LLC

Silver Dennis & Pamela Baese Berlyn Acres II LLC Cornerstone II Dairy LLC* H & K Dairy LLC* Michael & Andrew Hogan* Houska Farms Inc. Nobis Dairy Farms* Melvin & Pamela Pohl Riverview Dairy LLC Steenblik Dairy Inc. Jeffry & Patricia Thelen Wadell Dairy Farm LLC Aron W. Whitaker Wieber Dairy LLC Lisa M. Wilson

Bronze Double A Dairy LLC Adkinson Farm Howard C. Andersen II Carter Acres Dairy Clintonia Road Dairy LLC* Cook Dairy Farm James P. Dershem Dutch Meadows Dairy LLC Evergreen Dairy Inc. Andrew & John Feldpausch George Grecu III Green Meadow Farms Inc.* Green Meadow Farms Inc.* Terri & Rick Hawbaker Nugentdale Farms LLC P & H Farms William C. Platte Samuel I. Ramer Sanborn & Sons LLC* Gene L. Schneider Simpson Farms LLC Richard & Robert Skriba Slavik Farms Stony Creek Dairy LLC** Stout Dairy T & H Dairy II Jon & Tina Thelen Roland Van Alstine David J. Warnke

MUSKEGON LOCAL

OWOSSO LOCAL

Gold

Gold

Silver

Timothy Mater **

Sueann M. Higgins Koppenol Dairy Farms Inc. Diane, Gary & Karen Wolford*

Ritter Farms LLC David Sovis

Silver

James, James & John Anibal Reed Dairy Farm LLC

Silver Cumper Dairy Farms Goma Dairy Farms LLC Edward Joe Lawler MK Farms LLC Muxlow Dairy Farm Noll Dairy Farm Inc. Parr Dairy Farm LLC Radloff Dairy LLC** Welter Dairy Farms LLC

Bronze Steven & Lisa Alexander Patricia & Peggy Bachschmidt Jerry L. Blatt Steven R. Boice Bradley & Brian Booms* Brown Brothers Mark Draher Matthew J. Fischer Roger Markey Glen & Dale Phillips Farms Dorothy E. Sanford David, Harland & Gale Schultz Thomas C. Schultz Sharrard Farms LLC Rick L. Sutton Triple M Farms David M. Varosi

MID-THUMB LOCAL Silver Gleason Dairy Farm Edward, James & Patrick Bolday

Bronze William & Virginia Ankley Lamb Dairy Farm Richard Noake Reid Dairy Farm LLC Siegler Dairy Farm LLC Tracy & Theresa Sohn Donald Slesinski Alfred, Doris & Duane Stuever Gary & Doris Turner Richard W. Zacharias

Carson Acres LLC Larsen Farms Powers Dairy Farm LLC Richard Papes Riverside Dairy LLC Mark Rottier Andrew, Casey, Glen & Roger Sparks Tri-R Farms LLC

Bronze Ackerberg Farms Tom W. Barends Donald A. Beattie Dewey Farm LLC Doug & Shelly Ekkel & Family Brian A. Guikema Wayne Hecksel Howe Farms Inc. Bruce A. Majeske David J. Marsh Dan Mauer Dairy LLC Devon Miller Norris Dairy Farm Inc. Slater Farms 88th LLC* La Vern Sobieralski Stakenas Farms Inc. Stroven Dairy Farm Sunglow Dairy LLC Albert Lee Tiles David Vanderzanden Theodore M. Wolschlager

Bronze

SALINE-ANN ARBOR LOCAL Silver Horning Farms LLC

Bronze Breuninger Farms LLC Stanley & Patricia Lambarth

SUNRISE LOCAL Gold Cedar Lane Dairy Farms Circle K Farms Inc.

Silver Clemens Dairy Farm Inc.

Bronze Anschuetz Dairy Farm Double B Dairy Bennett Dairy Farm LLC Derek Brewer Curry Farms* Ron Diehl Gallagher Dairy Farm Inc. Cary & Tamara Grezeszak Hagley Farms Alan Jantzi Joseph E. Kauffman Lemajru Dairy Farm LLC Poirier Farms Reetz Dairy LLC Barry Troyer W-R-L Daniels Farm LLC

UPSTATE LOCAL Silver Boss Dairy Farms Inc. Marvin J. Rubingh

WEST MICHIGAN LOCAL Gold Heritage Farms LLC Seth Ponstein

Silver Alflen Dairy Farms Inc. Daybreak Dairy LLC Pyle Dairy Farm Inc. Dennis Raterink Norman Terhaar Welchkin Acres

Bronze Al-Ott Farms LLC Timothy Baker* Country Corners Farms LLC Robert & William Gruppen Haveman Farms LLC Mark Hilaski James H. Iciek Vernon Klinger Nienhuis Dairy Farm LLC Mark & Elizabeth Ponstein Robert & Donna Pepper Delwyn Wedeven Woodbridge Dairy Farm LLC Arlyn J. Walt**

U.P. WEST CENTRAL Gold Jacob & Elaine Jahfetson & Family

Silver Dave Cappaert Robert Paidl

Bronze Steven & Becky Brock Freis Dairy LLC Getz-Milk Dairy LLC Milton A. Patz Gary & Teresa Palosaari Pleasant View Dairy Farm LLC James & Connie Seefeldt Van De Walle Farms LLC

Bronze Dean Edgecomb**** Olds Paradise Farm Inc. Stanek Farm Douglas K. Warner

TOGETHER TO WARD TO MORROW MICHIGAN MILK PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION

Messenger | January 2015

MID-SANILAC LOCAL

29

M-AAA Awards More Than $600K in Grants for Agriculture Research

S

eventeen Michigan State University (MSU) researchers and Extension outreach and education specialists have received more than $600,000 in funding from the Michigan Alliance for Animal Agriculture (M-AAA).

The M-AAA (formerly the Animal Agriculture Initiative) is a partnership between Michigan’s animal agriculture industries, the MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, MSU AgBioResearch and MSU Extension. It focuses on advancing the state’s animal agriculture economy by supporting applied research and outreach efforts that address key issues identified by the industry.

Messenger | January 2015

The Michigan food and agriculture system contributes roughly $100 billion annually to the state’s economy and provides nearly 1 million jobs. About 37 percent of the agricultural products sold are attributed to the animal agriculture sector, so it is a critical component of Michigan’s economy.

30

Thirty-six proposals, requesting approximately $1.4 million, were submitted to M-AAA for consideration in three categories: applied research, Extension efforts and seed grants. All proposals were required to identify anticipated benefits to Michigan animal agriculture and to align with the annual priorities of one or more of the following animal agriculture stakeholder organizations: • Michigan Milk Producers Association • Michigan Allied Poultry Industry • Michigan Cattlemen’s Association • Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development • Michigan Farm Bureau • Michigan Horse Industry • Michigan Pork Producers • Michigan Sheep Breeders Association

Evaluation criteria included: • Relevance to the Michigan animal agriculture industry and annual priorities.

• Potential long-term impact.

• Technical merit and feasibility.

• Investigator qualifications.

• Mechanisms to deliver information generated to relevant commodity groups.

• Leverage of external and other funding sources and extent of partnering with Michigan animal agriculture industries.

Seventeen projects, totaling $630,780, were selected for funding. The proposals address issues related to workforce education, nutrient management, health and welfare, sustainability and profitability across beef, dairy, horse, poultry, sheep and or swine industries.

George Smith, MSU AgBioResearch acting associate director, is in charge of administering the M-AAA grants program.

“These M-AAA research and Extension projects continue to exemplify the strong history of successful partnerships between the Michigan animal agriculture commodity groups and MSU to help grow the animal agriculture economy, enhance employment opportunities and build economic vitality and sustainability for the entire state,” Smith said.

Ray Hammerschmidt, MSU Extension interim director, called the program a valuable tool in helping expand the knowledge of Michigan’s food producers.

“This helps ensure the research we do around the state gets into the hands of the farmers who can put it into practice,” he said.

Christina Fenske – MMPA MSU Food Systems Fellowship intern – takes down ear tag numbers during a herd test on a member farm in Marlette.

For more information on M-AAA, visit http://bit.ly/12SyGcb.

Energy Conservation: Impact on the Bottom Line Agenda 10:00 Welcome 10:05 What you need to know about an energy audit (Charles Gould, MSUE) 10:35 Farmer perspective on participating in an energy audit (panel discussion) 11:15 Auditor perspective on working with farmers to complete an energy audit 11:30 Developing an energy management strategy (Al Go, MSUE) 12:00 Lunch 12:30 Funding to implement on-farm energy conservation practices through utility companies (Power company representative) 1:15

Funding to implement on-farm energy conservation practices through USDA REAP (USDA-RD)

2:15

Funding to implement on-farm energy conservation practices through USDA NRCS (USDA-NRCS)

2:45

Next steps (Al Go)

3:00

Adjourn

Meeting Locations Date: Tuesday, January 13, 2015 Location: DTE Energy North Area Energy Center, 4100 Doerr Road, Cass City, MI 48726 Date: Wednesday, January 14, 2015 Location: Smith Hall, 800 Sickles St, St. Johns, MI 48879 Date: Thursday, January 15, 2015 Location: Olive Township Hall, 6480 136th Ave., Holland, MI 49424

Workshop Purposes The purposes of this workshop are to help farmers learn how to use an energy audit to develop an energy management strategy that: a. Reduces overall farm energy expenses. b. Effectively leverages utility company rebates and Federal grants and low interest loans to implement energy conservation practices recommended by an audit. c. Facilitates applying for renewable energy project funding.

There is an unprecedented amount of money available to farmers who want to implement energy conservation practices on their farms.

Sponsored by

Registration Information Registration fee is $10.00. To register visit: http://events.anr.msu.edu/2015EnerConPro g/ Registration deadline: Wednesday, January 7, 2015 Accommodations for persons with disabilities may be requested by contacting Charles Gould at 616/994-4547 by January 7 to make arrangements. Requests received after this date will be fulfilled when possible.

MSU Extension programs and material are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, or veteran status.

MERCHANDISE

Winter Teat Dips

Artec Ecolab’s Artec is a blue post-dip that’s effective against mastitis-forming bacteria with the use of 1.5 percent heptanoic acid. It is proven to work very quickly, requiring only 15 seconds of kill time. Artec also contains a triple blend of emollients for superior teat conditioning (78 percent system including glycerin and lanolin). The dip can be used as skin protection during cold weather, reducing the need for teat salves or creams. Once again, during extreme cold teat end blotting may be required after dipping.

This is the time of the year when single-digit and sub-zero temperatures inspire news stories warning us to bring our pets in to protect them from the cold. While dogs and cats aren’t a big problem, it’s difficult to fit a Jersey cow let alone a Holstein in the average home.

With that in mind, we suggest using our winter teat dips to help protect those sensitive teats from the harsh weather. MMPA has two such products in our warehouse: A& L’s Wintercare and Ecolab’s Artec.

Both products can be used all year, but are designed specifically for cold weather application.

Wintercare Wintercare is a very gentle, orange post-dip with 74 percent skin conditioners, moisturizers and emollients that provide excellent skin care. It is formulated with a 1 percent Capric/Caprylic acid combination which provides excellent bacteria kill and mastitis prevention.

The unique skin conditioners form a film on the teat surface that helps seal the orifice. Extreme weather conditions and cold wind chill may require cows’ teat ends to be blotted after dipping.

Item

Item Artec – 5 gallon

Stock # 6064

Artec – 15 gallon

6981

$273.75

Artec – 55 gallon

6077

$919.88

Udder Cream For the cows that experience teat chapping or freezing, Ken Ag’s Udder Cream can help. This product can be used in cold or warm weather. Udder Cream softens and soothes chapped teats and udders in the winter and aids in the prevention of dryness during sunny and windy summer conditions.

CAUTION: To avoid contamination of milk, thoroughly wash and dry udder and teats before each milking using an individual clean towel.

Stock #

Member Price

Wintercare – 5 gallon

3535

$103.78

Item

Wintercare – 15 gallon

3536

$298.94

Udder Cream 14 oz. tub

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

Messenger | January 2015

7% minimum protein 7% maximum fiber 4% minimum fat

32

Member Price $95.00

Citrus Pulp

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

Valero Meal

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!

Stock #

Member Price

5710

$4.69

Order Your MMPA Merchandise through your milk hauler or call: Duane Farmer Supervisor 989-317-8370 Toll Free: 877-367-6455 Orders (Novi): 800-572-5824 then dial 2 Fax: 989-317-8372

PREMIUMS

Somatic 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.

251,000-300,000................................+00¢/cwt.

301,000-400,000................................- 30¢/cwt.

401,000-500,000..............................-$1.00/cwt.

501,000-600,000..............................-$1.50/cwt.

601,000 and greater.......................-$2.00/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.

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

MMPA Member Testing Fees Payment for testing will be made through an automatic milk check deduction.

All costs are listed per individual sample.

Cow Tests: $1 Cow samples may be tested for: Culture for Streptococcus agalactiae, Strep non ag, Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase negative staph, gram negative and/or 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.

Additional Tests Available: All costs are listed per individual sample.

• Mycoplasma Cultures..................... $12 • Bacteriology Cultures..................... $13 – Includes identification of bacteria and drug susceptibility.

• Bovine Viral Diarrhea - PCR..................................................... $40 - ELISA.................................................. $6 • Johne’s Milk Test - PCR..................................................... $40 - ELISA – cows.................................... $6 - ELISA – tank..................................... $10 • Bovine Leukosis Test - ELISA – cows.................................... $6 - ELISA – tank..................................... $10 • Milk Pregnancy ELISA..................... $4.50 Lab test results by mail: $2/month

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

Chemical, Sanitizer and Teat Dip Contact Information These are service personnel only.

Order your Member Merchandise supplies through your hauler.

ECOLAB 24 - Hour Medical Emergency Hotline: 1-800-328-0026 For Service, call the Ecolab Service Message Center 1-800-392-3392 or Stan Palmer 5303 E. Swan Drive #3 Port Clinton, OH 43452 419-797-2101 Ben Johnson 4461 Cambridge Dr. Port Huron, MI 48060 810-824-0636 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 Jeff Timm NW 8665 C.R. M Shawano, WI 54166 612-840-0555

Messenger | January 2015

MMPA Quality Premium Program

33

FREELINERS

To place your ad please call 1-800-572-5824, ext. 202, or fax 248-426-3412, or email your ad 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.

Service age Reg. Holstein bulls: Deep pedigrees, some red carriers.

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

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

Equipment 2007 Kuhn Knight 8132 spreader. $1,800. Call Brent at 989-551-0681.

Penta 3010 low profile vertical TMR mixer, Gehl 1265 Forage Chopper, hay pickup & two-row corn head, 2 Gehl 980 Silage wagons with 12-ton running gears, tractor weights, Ford Oliver, I.H., suitcase weights. Call 989-271-8757.

Gehl 170 grinder mixer, always house, no scale, $8,500. 616-636-8257.

2014 John Deere 7180SPFH 4x4 autolube KP. 180 hours, excellent condition. Financing available.

Call 989-464-5436.

Messenger | January 2015

Patz 18-in. gutter cleaner with 207-ft. of chain. Used very little.

Call 810-648-2174

34

Skid-steer Silage Defacer, (The Edge) 5-ft. carbide tipped. Excellent shape. $3,000. 616-886-0969.

700 gal. Mueller milk tank, flat top with Copeland Compressor, $1800.

Pipeline for double 4 parlor. 76 DeLaval vacuum pump. Milk pump and control DeLaval pulsator. Dellatron 100 SL and master controller. Standard Claws. $1800.Rebuilt masport M3 vacuum pump, $500. DeLaval Dcc counter machine to test milk at farm (like new).

New $4000 sell for $2500. Contact Lyle Warkentine (home) 260-665-8265, (cell) 260-667-7983.

Dairy Farm Dairy Farm, Cheboygan, Michigan 367.11 acres, which include double 14 parallel parlor put in soon to be 4 years. 2,000 gal. bulk tank, 400 free-stall barn, calf barn, commodity barn, hay barn, maternity barn, shop pole barn.

45 acre pasture by barn. 7-bedroom L shaped brick home, well maintained, built 1976. Can send packet with more info if interested. We also have all the equipment, which has been appraised and a list is also available. We have most all of 2014 crops in and available.

This can be a turnkey operation or farm, and equipment can be sold separately. We also rent 670 acres paying from $10 to $40 an acre. The $40 one is the highest. This would also work as a perfect place to raise your heifers. Contact the Brown farm at 231-625-2036 or Jeff at 517-202-9421.

Price has been lowered to $999,000.

Wanted Registered Holsteins. Call Brent at 989-551-0681.

Calf-Tel Super Hutches. Call or text 616-634-2958.

Looking for herdsman on a 400 cow dairy near Blanchard, Michigan.

Contact T J at 989-560-7444.

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 writing or calling the Novi office.

• Reference to a name of a firm or other commercial enterprise with which a member is involved will be deleted, with permission of the member.

• If the member does not wish such deletion, he/she may choose to have the item published as a Classified Ad at the regular per-line 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 February issue, the freeliner must be at the MMPA office

Dairy Equipment

Miscellaneous

4,000 gal. Dari-Cool milk tank.

Bought new in 2005, no issues with tank, just too small, $30,000. W-R-L Daniels Farm LLC, Whittemore, Mich.

989-873-0036.

Australian Shepherd pups born 10/9/14, all colors, shots & wormed.

Both parents on site. Make great farm dogs. 810-569-6599.

by January 10.

www.mimilk.com

CLASSIFIEDS

Classified Ads ($20 per ad up to six lines) All 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. You may submit your ads by: MAIL:

Classified Ads - Michigan Milk Messenger P.O. BOX 8002 Novi, MI 48376-8002

EMAIL: Muszynski@mimilk.com FAX: 248-426-3412

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 • From our top production cows

GREEN MEADOW FARMS 6400 Hollister Road, Elsie, MI 48831 Phone: 989-862-4291

www.greenmeadowfarms.com

Messenger | January 2015

OPPERMAN GROOVING: We can fix your scabbled floors. Diamond sawed grooves, no hammering or cracking of concrete. No hoof damage. Call Opperman Grooving Inc., Portland. 517-647-7381.

36

DAVIDSON CEMENT GROOVING, INC: NO water needed. Wider, rougher grooves for better traction. We also offer texturing for your previously grooved floors. Three operators will travel Michigan and other states. No interest payment terms. Est. 1987.

Call 800-365-3361.

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

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

FOR SALE: 5000-4000-30002500-2000-1500 OH MUELLER LATE MODEL BULK TANK MILK TANKS, complete, will trade.

800-558-0112.

A SURE WAY TO KEEP YOUR COWS UPRIGHT! Concrete grooving/texturing brings existing grooves back to 100% efficiency and provides high quality traction in new & old concrete, fast service.

BLUE RIBBON HOOF TRIMMING, LLC. 989-635-1494.

WANTED TO BUY: USED BULK MILK TANKS, 200 gallons & larger, Sunset & Mueller, 800-558-0112.

DRY HAY & STRAW (large & small square bales) and barley for feed.

Call 989-723-1886 or 989-277-1414.

ALFALFA HAYLAGE (excellent and fair grades) & corn silage. Call 989-723-1886 or 989-277-1414.

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 non-marketability 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 Drug Milk Quality 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 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 Mt. Pleasant 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. * The member will only be paid for two (2) voluntary dumps in a rolling 12 month period. ** 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.

REJECTED LOAD SHIPMENT If… 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 three or more occurances 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 cells 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.

Messenger | January 2015

QUALITY QUESTIONABLE

37

MARKET REPORT

Statistical Summary for Milk Marketed in November 2014 Market Statistics - Mideast Federal Order #33 (pounds)

National Trends

(million pounds)

% Change

This Month

Year Ago

Total Class 1 Sales

523,346,911

556,102,493

-5.89

Total Class 2 Sales

271,057,232

150,388,783

+80.24

Total Class 3 Sales

380,299,542

480,924,426

-20.92

Total Class 4 Sales

272,080,843

118,520,173 +129.57

Total Production

1,446,784,528

1,305,935,875

+10.79

36.2%

42.6%

Class 1 Utilization

2014

2013 % Change

Production California

3,346 3,275 +2.2

Wisconsin

2,254 2,192 +2.8

Idaho

1,112 1,069 +4.0

New York

1,110

Texas

1,069

+3.8

839 779 +7.7

Pennsylvania 869 840 +3.5

Mideast Federal Order #33

Michigan

784 733 +7.0

Avg. Daily Production per farm........................................................8,089

Minnesota

743 721 +3.1

Avg. Protein Test.................................................................................. 3.21%

New Mexico

638

Washington

526 501 +5.0

Ohio

435 429 +1.4

Indiana

318 308 +3.2

Total Producers.....................................................................................5,962

Avg. Butterfat Test.............................................................................. 3.87% Avg. Oth Solids Test........................................................................... 5.71% Avg. SCC - MMPA.............................................................................160,000

Component Pricing Information Mideast Federal Order #33 Protein Price /lb................................................................................$3.9018

641

-0.5

*Total U.S

15,520 15,002

+3.5

*U.S Y-T-D

176,855 172,669

+2.4

*For 23 States

Butterfat Price /lb.............................................................................$2.2011 Other Solids Price /lb......................................................................$0.4505 Class III Price @ 3.5%......................................................................... $21.94

NASS Survey Prices

Prod. Price Diff /cwt. - Mich Mkt...................................................($0.94) Uniform Price @ 3.5%....................................................................... $21.00

Messenger | January 2015

SCC Adjustment /cwt /1000...................................................... $0.00107

38

AMS Survey Prices Product

Monthly Avg

Cheese /lb............................................................................................ 2.1305 Butter /lb.............................................................................................. 1.9891 Nonfat Dry Milk /lb........................................................................... 1.3902 Dry Whey /lb........................................................................................ 0.6365

Monthly Avg Cheese /lb

2.1305

Butter /lb

1.9891

Nonfat Dry Milk /lb

1.3902

Dry Whey /lb

0.6365

MMPA STAFF

MMPA Field Staff*

Novi Headquarters

Northwest Area

Main Office Local line.................................................................... 248-474-6672 Toll free....................................................................... 800-572-5824

Ben Chapin, Supervisor, Blanchard.......................989-289-0731 Frank Brazeau, Energy Auditor, Oconto, WI.......906-250-0337 Lyndsay Earl, Ludington............................................231-519-2455 Sarah Michalek, Portland..........................................248-305-0537

General Manager Joe Diglio............................................................................... ext. 200

Deb Navarre, Leroy......................................................248-520-3580

Member Services Dean Letter............................................................... 989-289-9251

Northeast Area

Milk Sales/Dispatch Carl Rasch.............................................................................. ext. 244

Christy Dinsmoore, Supervisor & Mastitis Management Specialist, Fairgrove...248-513-7920 Lindsay Green, Energy Auditor, East Lansing... 989-488-8159 Ashley Herriman, Alpena..........................................269-245-6632 Angie Kirsch, Harbor Beach ................................... 231-414-4539

Laboratory Supervisor Patti Huttula......................................................................... ext. 219 Manufactured Product Sales Jim Dodson........................................................................... ext. 229

Drew Rupprecht, Clio................................................ 269-986-6793

Quality Amandeep Dhillon............................................................. ext. 305

South Area

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

Ed Zuchnik, Supervisor & Energy Auditor, Three Rivers................................269-967-7351 Krista Beeker, Topeka, IN ........................................ 269-986-6792 Dave Brady, Grass Lake.....517-522-5965 or (c) 517-937-9061 Elyse Martin, Energy Auditor, Charlotte..............810-701-6460 Joe Packard, East Lansing.........................................248-520-3481 Emily Smith, Bronson..................................................269-535-0822

Other Services Bulk Tank Calibration Gary Best, Lapeer.................810-664-4984 or (c) 586-484-9279 Merchandise Coordinator, Energy Auditor Katie Pierson, Coleman..............................................989-289-9686 Mastitis Management Specialist Steve Lehman, Ithaca.......... 989-875-3441 or (c) 89-330-1638

Human Resources Cindy Tilden.......................................................................... ext. 220 Member Relations/Public Affairs Sheila Burkhardt................................................................. ext. 208 Data Processing Gregory Schulkey............................................................... ext. 237 Member Communications Alex Schnabelrauch........................................................... ext. 211

Manufacturing Plants Constantine Dave Davis, Plant Manager................................. 269-435-2835 Ovid Colt Johnson, Plant Manager............................ 989-834-2221

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

In Michigan.....................................................................800-572-5824 Toll Free............................................................................800-233-2405 Ovid (Daily, 6 a.m.-10 p.m.).......................................989-834-2515

Merchandise - Mt. Pleasant Duane Farmer, Supervisor Main Line................................................................................989-317-8370 Toll Free...................................................................................877-367-6455 Orders (Novi).................................................800-572-5824, then dial 2 Fax..............................................................................................989-317-8372

*If you are unable to

reach your assigned member representative, please contact the representatives listed in your area.

Messenger | January 2015

Constantine (Daily, 7 a.m.-10 p.m.)......................800-391-7560

39

Earlyregistration registrationends endsJanuary January 16!

16!

Early

GreatLakes Lakes Great Regional Dairy Dairy Regional Conference Conference February5–7 5–7 February BavarianInn Innand andConference ConferenceCenter Center Bavarian Frankenmuth,Michigan Michigan Frankenmuth, Consumers expecthigh-quality, high-quality,safe safeand andnutritious nutritiousdairy dairy Consumers expect products that producedin ina asocially, socially,economically economically products that areareproduced environmentallyresponsible responsibleway. way.This Thisyear’s year’s andand environmentally conference focusonontechniques, techniques,tools toolsand andstrategies strategies conference willwillfocus deliver dairyproducts productsconsumers consumersexpect. expect. to to deliver dairy

Check-outsessions sessionson:on: Check-out • Improving bottom raising heifersforforoptimum optimummilk milk • Improving youryour bottom lineline by by raising heifers production analyzing your money-correctedmilk milk production andand analyzing your money-corrected • Making genetic nutritional changes reproduction • Making genetic andand nutritional changes forforreproduction improvements maximizing nutritionalefficiency efficiencythrough through improvements andand maximizing nutritional Shredlage processing Shredlage processing • Looking to the future of the dairy industrywith withstrategies strategiestotoexcel excel • Looking to the future of the dairy industry reducing industry’s environmentalfootprint footprint andand reducing thethe industry’s environmental • Improving labor management, on-farm energyconservation conservationand and • Improving labor management, on-farm energy crisis preparedness protect your businessmoving movingforward forward crisis preparedness to to protect your business

www.glrdc.msu.edu• •517-884-7089 517-884-7089• •honkemeg@msu.edu honkemeg@msu.edu www.glrdc.msu.edu