Michigan Milk Messenger: August 2011

August 2011 Volume 94 Issue 2

August 2011

Contents

Volume 94 Issue 2 www.mimilk.com

Features 12

9

Price Protection Workshops Held in June

11 2011 District Outstanding Young Dairy Cooperators 11 2011 MMPA OYDC Reunion 12 2011 Ag Expo 14 Come and get it: Your second chance to win ‘Free

Groceries for a Year!’

15 Supreme Champion Dairy Tops Livestock sale 16 Stephanie Roggenbuck – MMPA’s Summer Food

Systems Fellowship Intern 18 MMPA 4-H Milk Marketing Tour

15

20

20 The Great Dairy Adventure 22 MSU Nets $5 Million Grant to Increase Dairy

Production Efficiency 23 Even After 60 years, Volunteering Never Gets Old for

Clinton County 4-H Dairy Club Leaders 24 Larsens Named NorthStar Progressive Dairy Producers 26 MSUE Director Tom Coon meets with Advisory Committee 27 Milk Producers Continue to Enroll in New National

Dairy FARM Program to Assure Consumers

Departments

Managing Editor...................... Sheila Burkhardt Editor............................................ Laura Moser Advertising Manager..................... Karla Macelli Circulation............................................... 4,200 An Equal Opportunity Employer – F/M/V/D Michigan Milk Messenger (USPS 345-320) is the official publication of Michigan Milk Producers Association, published monthly since June 1919.

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

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

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

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

(ISSN 0026-2315)

MMPA Matters................................................ 5 Quality Watch.................................................. 6 News & Views.................................................. 8 Legislative Watch............................................ 10 Merchandise Memo........................................ 28 Freeliners........................................................ 30 Classifieds...................................................... 32 Policies........................................................... 33 Market Report................................................ 34 MMPA Lab Lines........................................... 35 MMPA Staff ................................................... 35 November August 2011 2009 Volume 92 Issue 5 Volume 94 Issue 2

On the Cover The heifers on the farm of Jeff and Patty Thelen were unaware of the hundreds of people on the farm for “Breakfast on the Farm” on June 18. Watch for recaps of all the Breakfasts on the Farm this Fall.

Michigan Milk Messenger 3

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

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

District Directors 1. Earl Horning, Manchester.............734-428-7641 2. Tim Hood, Paw Paw....................269-657-5771 4. Dan Javor, Hastings......................269-948-8345 5. Brent Wilson, Carson City............989-584-3481 6. Brad Ritter, Byron........................810-266-4091 7. James Reid, Jeddo........................810-327-6830 8. Leonard Brown, Sandusky............810-648-4505 10. Eric Frahm, Frankenmuth............989-652-3552 11. Bob Kran, FreeSoil.......................231-464-5889 12. John Kronemeyer, Pickford..........906-647-7638

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

or 248-474-6672, ext. 201 Rodney Daniels, Whittemore.............989-756-4935 Mark Halbert, Battle Creek................269-964-0511

Mission Statement

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

Advisory Committee District One Hank Choate, Cement City Perry Cisco, Hudson Carlton Evans, Litchfield Glenn Preston, Quincy

517-529-9032 517-547-3231 517-398-0629 517-639-4182

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

989-593-2900 989-593-2224 616-897-2747 989-723-8635

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

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

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

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

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

4 August 2011

989-762-5399 231-796-4650 231-743-6794 989-462-5380

District Ten John Bennett, Prescott Jim Judge, Mt. Pleasant Scott Kleinhardt, Clare Ken Daniels, Sterling

989-345-4264 989-866-2482 989-386-8037 989-654-2546

District Eleven District Seven Bill Blumerich, Berlin Pat Bolday, Emmett Scott Lamb, Jeddo Keith Wood, Kingston

810-395-2926 810-395-7139 810-327-6135 989-683-2070

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

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

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

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

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

MMPA Matters

By Ken Nobis President

Assessing the Dairy Industry From a Global Perspective

T

ime out! Well, why not ask for one? Most sports competitions provide a chance to rest or to change a well-conceived game plan that worked better on paper than on the field. Many lessons learned by participating in competitive sports apply to the business world, like learning to work with others as a team member or pushing yourself beyond what you thought were your capabilities. But one of the realities of today’s business world is the absence of time outs.

“The more things change, the more they stay the same,” a famous saying attributed to Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr (1808-1890), comes to mind. Based on this, we might not need time outs if we could figure out how to quickly respond to situations by interpreting past experience. Maybe I’m wrong, but I don’t think this can be applied to the dairy industry. If things really did stay the same, we could ignore change with the confidence that we would cycle through it and come back to where we started.

That familiarity would make us comfortable and secure once again, or would it?

MMPA was formed 95 years ago at a time when our marketplace was very local. Production and consumption near your farm directly affected your income.

The marketplace expanded to a larger regional geographic area as the years passed, but supply and demand continued to be affected by relatively nearby areas.

Time marched on, and dairy production in the United States kept shifting further away from population concentrations in the eastern half of the U.S. We could no longer observe small regional areas to predict supply and demand. With this new dynamic, it was clear that a balanced supply of production in the eastern half of the U.S. didn’t necessarily mean good prices for eastern dairy producers if there was excess production in the west.

That was the scenario during the 20th century, and the first 10 years of the 21st century saw even bigger changes for dairy markets. Dairy consumption in the world started growing faster than production could keep pace with, and our dairy “world” expanded to the actual world. We can no longer limit our vision of production or consumption to our nearby communities, but instead we must adjust that vision to encompass the global community. Production or consumption anomalies on the other side of the globe affect prices we receive in our own zip code. If this were a football game, the coaches would have used their allotted time outs long ago in an attempt to slow the pace of the game and try to figure out what to do next.

We know that no time outs are allowed, so we have learned to think quickly and succinctly while moving forward. Indicators tell us that more milk is needed and will continue to be needed in the world marketplace.

Growth will continue in the export

market. Continued growth in the economies of China, Southeast Asia and India will move more people into the middle class where they will have enough income to improve their diets. Improved diets will increase the importation of high quality proteins from dairy, creating an opportunity for the U.S. dairy industry to grow and prosper.

Somebody, someplace in the world, will respond to the need for more milk worldwide by growing milk production, so it might as well be us. Heavier involvement in the export market does lead to more volatility; however, that volatility will exist whether the U.S. reaches for that market or not. No matter where or by whom the needed milk is produced, the production will have an effect on our individual bottom lines. If the numbers work for a dairy producer to add milk now, maybe it should be considered.

Contrary to what some might think, we didn’t have too much milk in MMPA’s market area in 2009, when we experienced a serious downturn. We sold every drop produced by our members in the commercial market, and not a single drop was purchased by the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC). However, as a result of the worldwide recession and the U.S. dairy industry’s inconsistent involvement in the export market, we lost enough of a share of that market to negatively affect our prices for far too many months.

Continued on page 8

Michigan Milk Messenger 5

Quality Watch

By

By Gary DeanTrimner Letter MMPA Manager of ProducerControl Testing Director of Member Services/Quality and Herd Health Programs

2011 – A Time of Transition in Member Services

T

he Member Services Department has experienced several retirements this year. As these people start the next chapter in their lives, MMPA continues to adjust to provide high-quality service to all its members. MMPA recently hired two Michigan State University graduates to fill the upcoming vacancies. Melissa Erdman and Krista Beeker both have strong dairy backgrounds with bachelor degrees in Animal Science.

They have much to offer and are a welcome addition to the MMPA field staff. Once Melissa receives her field person certification, she will be providing assistance to members in southwest Michigan.

Krista will be living in northern Indiana and serving members in northeastern Indiana and south/ central Michigan.

Other member representatives will be changing territories as well to provide our members with the consistent service as efficiently as possible. Many members located south of US-10 could have a new member representative calling on their farm by September 1. With the adjustment in work assignments, MMPA will be positioned to conduct more energy audits through the anticipated certification of three additional member representatives.

6 August 2011

This should result in reduced wait times for members desiring an energy audit to identify energy savings strategies.

In addition, MMPA will increase its level of service in the area of environmental risk mitigation. Dale Ledebuhr will provide additional training to member representatives to assist members in identifying areas of environmental concern through MAEAP Livestock*A*Syst. This is a great tool for members to use to become MAEAP verified. MMPA believes MAEAP verification is important because it has been shown to identify and mitigate environmental risk which can help farms comply with current and future environmental regulation.

These staff changes can create some confusion among members as to whom to call for service. A member can verify the identity of their member representative by reviewing their milk quality statement. Whether the statement is received through the postal service, email, or fax, the member representative’s name is listed on that document.

When a member representative receives a new territory, the representative is introduced to the members they serve whenever

possible. A business card is placed in the blue MMPA milkhouse binder. I ask that our members note the member representative’s contact information including the cell phone number. This is the first point of contact when MMPA field service is required. If for some reason, the member representative is not available, refer to the inside back cover of the Michigan Milk Messenger. The Milk Messenger contains the contact information for the entire field service along with a map of MMPA’s service area.

This map is color coded by regional office. The member representative contact information is listed in a colored block which corresponds to the service map. The supervisor for each regional office will address member requests when the member representative is unavailable.

If you are unsure who to call for service, you can always call the member services department at the Novi office during business hours and any of the area supervisors after hours. MMPA will respond to the service request promptly.

We are working to make these transitions as seamless as possible and we appreciate your patience as we transition MMPA’s field staff for new assignments and increased services.

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News & Views The latest dairy news

June Class III Price up $2.59

MMPA Participates in Dairy Awareness Event

The June Federal Order benchmark farm milk price took a much needed jump. The Agriculture Department announced the Class III manufacturing grade milk price at $19.11 per hundredweight, up $2.59 from May, $5.49 above June 2010, the highest it has been since June 2008. The 2011 average now stands at $17.06, up from $13.58 at this time a year ago, and compares to $10.19 in 2009.

MMPA representatives joined other members of the Michigan Dairy Foods Association to host the 2011 Michigan Dairy Foods Awareness Day at the state Capitol on June 22. Free dairy food samples such as ice cream, cheese, butter, milk and yogurt were available to legislators and visitors to the Capitol.

MMPA Matters –

Rep. Ed McBroom marked the occasion by introducing a resolution adopting Wednesday, June 22 as the 2011 Michigan Dairy Foods Awareness Day. The Michigan House unanimously approved the resolution.

Continued from page 5

After all is said and done, it looks like I am wrong to assert that “the more things change, the more they stay the same” might not apply to dairy. Maybe I just need to expand my thinking to include the whole world as my neighbor.

One thing that stays the same is that consumers recognize dairy as an essential part of their diets, whether they are in the U.S. or across the globe. We have the opportunity to introduce our product to many more new consumers than we did in 1916 or at any time since the beginning of our co-op. Another thing that stays the same is our determination to seize new opportunities to fulfill our mission statement: to market our members’ milk to the greatest advantage possible.

8 August 2011

“The dairy industry is an important part of Michigan’s economy, and its products are a vital part of a balanced diet for our children to grow strong and healthy, as well as provide adults with necessary nutrients and vitamins,” said McBroom, a fourth generation dairy farmer from Vulcan.

“For the well-being of our state and its residents, our public policies for dairy processing must help enhance the position and competitive ability of dairy producers to market their goods nationally and worldwide.”

According to a 2010 MSU report, the total food-processing sector generates more than $25 billion and 134,000 jobs in Michigan; more than $7 billion and 22,000 of those jobs stem from dairy processing.

Upcoming Events August 17-18 MMPA OYDC Conference – Novi

Price Protection Workshops Held in June

Preserve & Protect

MMPA hosted four price protection workshops in June educating members on the financial tools MMPA offers its producers. The workshops, held at various locations around the state, featured sessions with Dr. Chris Wolf, MSU Department of Agriculture, Food and Resource Economics. Dr. Wolf helped members understand the importance of knowing their cost of production and how to accurately determine it. He also discussed managing price risks at the farm and the different tools available.

Following the groundwork laid by Dr. Wolf, MMPA representatives explained how members can utilize MMPA’s price protection program to mitigate risks in milk marketing and to explain the new options features recently added to the milk contracting program.

“We are experiencing an increased interest in MMPA’s price protection programs and wanted to give members the opportunity to better understand the program and to gain more information,” says MMPA General Manager Clay Galarneau.

Members interested in signing up for the Price Protection Program should call the Novi office (248) 474-6672.

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Michigan Milk Messenger 9

Legislative Watch Issues important to today’s dairy farmers

Discussion Draft Paves Way for Further Congressional Consideration of Dairy Reforms

T

he effort to make dramatic improvements in U.S. dairy policy took a big step forward with the release of draft legislation incorporating the key elements of NMPF’s Foundation for the Future program.

The discussion draft text has been made available by the House Agriculture Committee’s Ranking Member Collin Peterson (D-MN) here: http://democrats.agriculture. house.gov/.

“This is a long-anticipated and very welcome next step in the process of upgrading dairy policy to better provide farmers with protection, stability, and the opportunity for growth,” said Jerry Kozak, President and CEO of NMPF. The legislative language is termed a discussion draft, rather than a bill, as it now provides members of Congress with the opportunity to allow fellow congressmen, key stakeholders, and constituents the opportunity to view the language prior to the official introduction of a bill. It also allows backers of the draft to seek cosponsors who wish to affix their names to the bill, prior to it being formally introduced.

Kozak noted that the economic impact of the reforms contained in the Foundation for the Future proposal will save the government money, compared to current dairy program spending. Such a development “becomes a critical part of the effort to help us move it forward, because all of the talk in Washington lately has been about

10 August 2011

cutting spending, and specifically, which farm program expenditures can be reduced,” Kozak said. “We now have a good answer to that question where dairy programs are concerned.”

compared to the current baseline for dairy. However, the DPMPP supplemental coverage option remains at 90% of the producer’s production history, as NMPF had proposed.

The Congressional Budget Office has evaluated, or scored, the legislative draft to assess its budget impact, and that process necessitated two changes, compared to the original Foundation for the Future package as proposed by NMPF.

In addition, due to a number of issues that deal with tax provisions and the overall federal budget deficit, CBO has determined that 50% of any dollars collected as a result of the implementation (i.e. “triggering in”) of the Dairy Market Stabilization Program (DMSP) will be remitted to the Treasury, rather than being spent to purchase dairy products. This provision ensures a measure of cost savings sufficiently significant to reduce the overall cost of FFTF.

With respect to the Dairy Producer Margin Protection Program (DPMPP), the amount of basic (no cost to the farmer) margin coverage has been adjusted to 75% of a producer’s production history. This change saves money,

Producers scoring 95 percent or more on Grade A Surveys and Federal Check Rating MMPA Huron County

Paul Gorkowski

May 2011

Peyerk Brothers Dairy LLC *

Triple M Farms

Robert/Veronica/Robert Dallas

John Kappen

Bradley/Brian Booms *

McKee Chapman Dairy David Shoemaker

MMPA Ovid East

Cumper Dairy Farms

June 2011

Richard Schroeder

Hooks Farms

Bernard Dadacki

Green Meadow Farms Inc.

Seymour/Mae/George Addison

Scott Graham

Timothy/Debra Kubacki

Richard Wardin

Orin Engelhardt

David Castner

Starward Farm

Double Eagle Dairy Inc.

Hornbacker Farms Paul G Leipprandt & Son Inc.

* Scored 100 percent

2011 District Outstanding Young Dairy Cooperators

Congratulations to the following individuals who have been selected to represent their MMPA District at the 2011 Outstanding Young Dairy Cooperator Conference in Novi on August 17-18, 2011.

District 1

Jeremy and Jenelle Brenner Hillsdale-Litchfield Local Litchfield, MI

District 2

Dan and Leah Chupp Constantine Local Jones, MI

District 4

Dan and Sarah Minnis Ingham County Local Dansville, MI

District 5

District 8

District 6

District 10

District 7

District 11

Jason and Shari Benthem Evart Local McBain, MI

John and Frances Hufnagel Mid-Michigan Local Westphalia, MI

Alan and Melissa Simons St. Clair-Macomb Local China, MI

Jeremy and Jody Sharrard Southern Sanilac Local Peck, MI

District 12

David and Ann Folkersma Chippewa County Local Rudyard, MI

Chris and Michele Daniels Sunrise Local Whittemore, MI

Roger and Kate Deters Muskegon Local Fremont, MI

2011 MMPA OYDC Reunion

T

he annual OYDC reunion was held this summer at the home of the 2006 OYDCs Tom and Dianne Cook.

Each year the past OYDCs gather together for a picnic and a the chance to visit with friends.

Pictured from this year’s picnic: Standing (l-r) MMPA General Manager Clay Galarneau, Jeff Horning, Brad Ritter, Aaron Gasper, Tom Cook, Earl Horning, Duane Heisler, Eric Frahm, Liz Nobis, Jim Slavik, Ken Nobis, Tony Jandernoa, Gordon Dick, Larry Crandall, Doug Westendorp, Tim Kubacki, Debbie Kubacki, Jeremy Werth, John Dilland, Jennifer & Bruce Lewis and Susan Troyer.

Seated: Tonia Ritter, Andrea Gasper, Dianne Cook, Susan Heisler, Teresa Crook, Doreen Slavik, Patti Jandernoa, Susan Dick, Gloria Crandall, Louisa Westendorp, Summer Werth and Barb Dilland.

Michigan Milk Messenger 11

2011 Ag Expo

T

his year’s Michigan Ag Expo ended its three-day run July 21 at Michigan State University (MSU). Even with temperatures reaching record highs for the show, many of the state’s agricultural producers and community members braved the heat to attend the state’s largest outdoor farm show.

“We were impressed with the hardiness of the visitors and exhibitors who dealt with the heat,” Michigan Ag Expo director Ruth Borger said. “A large amount of people came with families, which is encouraging for the future of agriculture in Michigan. It’s great to see so many youth involved.”

Keeping in tradition with past years, Ag Expo 2011 featured many educational opportunities for visitors. Demonstrations ranging from sprayer calibration and managing animal mortality to garden soil testing and basic horse health management offered

something for every type of visitor, regardless of farm size.

“Ag Expo provides a valueadded experience for visitors,” Borger says. “MSU is a leader in Michigan agricultural research and innovation, making Ag Expo a great vehicle to get that information to farmers. We were especially

pleased with the attendance at the demonstrations and educational sessions this year.”

Michigan Ag Expo 2011 drew more than 250 commercial vendors and featured about 30 educational exhibitors, many of whom showcased MSU research, teaching and Extension work in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) tent.

Several past and current MMPA members stopped by the MMPA tent visiting with staff members. Inside the tent, MMPA’s new advertising campaign “Your Co-op. Your Farm. Your Choice” was launched.

“We appreciated those who endured the heat to come out

12 August 2011

to the Expo grounds,” says Clay Galarneau, MMPA general manager. “The yearly gathering of Michigan agriculture at Ag Expo presents an excellent showcase of the diversity of our state’s agriculture industry.”

Visitors to the CANR tent contributed nearly $2,000 to support CANR scholarships and enjoyed complimentary ice cream from the MSU Dairy Store. While in the fan-cooled tent, visitors learned about “I Know MI Numbers,” an

MSU Extension initiative to help Michigan residents understand areas of critical need and provide programming to help improve those numbers.

Michigan Ag Expo 2012 is set for July 17–19 on the show grounds at the corner of Mt. Hope Road and Farm Lane. Visit the website at www.agexpo.msu.edu.

Governor thanks agriculture industry, presses them to do even more

W

hile many sectors of Michigan’s economy have stagnated in the past decade, one has remained resilient, Gov. Rick Snyder said during opening remarks of the 2011 Ag Expo at Michigan State University (MSU).

“The last decade in Michigan we’ve had a hard time,” Snyder told the crowd at the kickoff breakfast Tuesday. “There was one industry that stood up and stood out – agriculture. And I am going to ask for more because there are opportunities to be even better.”

The crowd at Ag Expo, a three-day event bringing together agricultural professionals, experts and businesses, stood in applause as the governor challenged the agriculture industry to work even harder to make the state better.

Snyder outlined three areas Michigan’s agriculture community would need to work with him on in the next year: processing, exporting and consumption.

The governor challenged Michigan growers to add value to processing and to continue the food chain in Michigan, which would add to the state’s job base.

And keeping the processing in Michigan would also allow the state to boost exports across state lines to other states and even other countries.

He also said his administration would highlight the importance of health and wellness in the fall, and said the agriculture community would play a large part. “We need to increase the consumption of fresh products, fresh fruits and vegetables. We have a fabulous product and people (in poor communities) that need to consume healthier foods. We could add tens of the thousands of jobs.”

So even while Snyder commended and thanked

the agriculture community, he also made clear more work needed to be done. It highlighted a quality that MSU President Lou Anna Simon said was one of Snyder’s greatest strengths – impatience.

“He is impatient about moving forward. He knows we are in this global competition and speed makes a difference,” she said.

“We need to have the metrics that everyone can understand.”

Helping highlight those metrics and working to improve them is MSU Extension with its I Know MI Numbers initiative. Educators throughout Michigan are focusing on five key needs to Michigan’s successful future – knowing and improving Michigan’s water quality, reducing adult obesity, knowing the fiscal health of its cities and towns, improving early childhood literacy and improving science literacy.

Snyder acknowledged his impatience, but said Michigan could no longer afford to sit on the sidelines.

“There is no time like the present to move things forward,” he said. “We are not just talking about where we’re at and what we’ve done but where we’re going.”

Michigan Milk Messenger 13

Come and Get It: Your Second Chance to Win ‘Free Groceries for a Year!’

M

ichigan’s first “Free Groceries for a Year!” sweepstakes was so successful that Michigan Farmers Feed Us is back with another opportunity for a Michigander to win a $5,000 gift card good toward filling grocery bags with locally grown and processed food and other meal staples. All contestants have to do is watch short online videos to learn about Michigan’s caring farmers and the state’s agricultural diversity.

During the first Farmers Feed US, more than 200,000 registrations were received for the sweepstakes, and more than 10,000 chose to receive more information about where their food comes from and more than 8 million media impressions were made throughout the 90-day registration period. As a result of this sweepstakes, the Michigan Ag Council embarked on further consumer outreach programming, including ‘MI Foodie News’ (a monthly e-newsletter about Michigan agriculture) and the Farm Fresh Food blog (a blog on MLive.com featuring posts written

by Michigan farmers).

From now through Oct. 12, Michigan residents can go to http://www.farmersfeedus.org/ mi/ to register to win and learn how local farmers produce safe, healthy and affordable food.

The Michigan Farmers Feed US sweepstakes showcases 10 Michigan farmers who, through their online videos, guide consumers through the simple registration process, dish out some agricultural trivia and open up their farms for a virtual tour. (Nine farmer videos are currently online. The tenth will be added soon.) Featured commodities include apples, beef, corn, dairy products, eggs, lamb,

14 August 2011

pork, vegetables, and soybeans.

“Michigan farmers are thrilled to once again offer free groceries for a year to the consumers of our great state,” said Scott Oswalt, a Kalamazoo County sheep farmer who was featured in the first sweepstakes and is showcased again.

“This is our opportunity to show what we produce to Michigan consumers, and that we share their values of taking care of our families, land and animals, and giving back to our communities,” said Oswalt. “As a fourthgeneration farmer, I’m proud to raise food for your table as well as my own. I want to demonstrate to others how today’s farms operate.”

The $5,000 prize value is based on research conducted by the Food Marketing Institute, which indicates $5,000, on average, will feed one adult for one year.

The agricultural commodity organizations sponsoring Michigan Farmers Feed US selected the farmers featured in the sweepstakes with the goal of showcasing farmers who represent Michigan’s different “food groups” and farming regions.

To learn more, “like” Michigan Farmers Feed US on Facebook, follow Mich Farmers Feed US on Twitter at @MIFarmersFeedUS or visit http://www.farmersfeedus. org/mi.

Contestants can register with each of the featured farmers daily through the end of the 90-day sweepstakes on Oct. 12.

One winner will be randomly selected from all the registered contestants and Having cash on demand is a must; announced in early we’ve got you covered.

November.

The sweepstakes sponsors will determine the winner’s preferred Accessible Operating Loans. grocery store for the prize gift card.

800-444-FARM ■ www.greenstonefcs.com

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Supreme Champion Dairy Tops Livestock Sale

T

he 2011 Michigan Dairy Expo got off to an exciting start this week when the Supreme Champion Dairy animal, exhibited by Parker Hardy of Tipton, Mich., topped the Michigan Livestock Expo Saleabration with an impressive bid of $21,000. The buyer of the first dairy lot of the livestock sale was a strong contingency of dairy industry supporters who pooled their money to purchase the winning lot.

In total $33,000 was bid on four dairy lots: Supreme Champion; Reserve Junior Champion exhibited

by Sarah Michalek, Deckerville, Mich., Supreme Dairy Showman Brittany Westendorp of Nashville, Mich. and the Grand Champion Cheese exhibited by the Michigan State University Dairy Plant. The money raised through the selling of the dairy lots goes back into the statewide dairy youth fund of the Michigan Youth Livestock Scholarship Fund. The 4-H members exhibiting the winning animal receive $1,000 each.

The buyers of the dairy lots were: Champion Dairy Cow exhibited by Parker Hardy and represented by a dairy gift basket:

Michigan Milk Producers Association Varnum Law Firm Kroger Co. of Michigan Zeeland Farm Services Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee Michigan Soybean Association NorthStar Cooperative Dairy Farmers of America Calder Dairy Vita Plus Caledonia Farmers Elevator

The buyer of the gift basket representing the Champion Dairy heifer exhibited by Sarah Michalek:

Ken Nobis, Nobis Dairy Farm: $2,100

The buyer of the gift basket representing the Champion Dairy Showman exhibited by Brittany Westendorp:

Kalmbach Feeds: $5,000.

The buyer of the Grand Champion Cheese:

United Dairy Industry of Michigan: $4,900.

“The Michigan dairy industry is a vibrant and growing industry and we need to encourage these kids interested in our industry to stay involved, to stay excited about our industry and to stay here in Michigan,” says Ken Nobis, president of Michigan Milk Producers Association.

“We couldn’t have an event like Michigan Dairy Expo without the tremendous support of the industry,” says Dr. Joe Domecq, 4-H Dairy Youth Specialist and manager of the Michigan Dairy Expo. “When we lost state funding for this event a few years ago, the industry stepped-up to keep this event going. The number of participants increases each year.”

The Michigan Dairy Expo is a week-long education event featuring the State 4-H Dairy Show, educational contests and State breed association dairy shows. This year over 300 4-H members from around the state participated in one or more of the events.

In addition to supporting the Michigan Dairy Expo, money raised through the sale is also used for scholarships and statewide educational grants.

The Michigan Livestock Expo Sale is held each year following the Michigan Livestock Expo. The Michigan Livestock Expo is a statewide multi-species livestock event featuring over 400 youth exhibitors of beef, sheep, swine and goats that is designed to enhance the livestock industry, educate youth and showcase Michigan’s agriculture industry.

Michigan Milk Messenger 15

Stephanie Roggenbuck – MMPA’s Summer Food Systems Fellowship Intern

T

his year’s MMPA Summer Food Systems Fellowship (FSF) Intern is Stephanie Roggenbuck, a veterinary student at the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Stephanie is spending her 12-week fellowship with MMPA working closely with MMPA Member Representatives conducting FARM evaluations and assisting with SCC reduction plans. Her duties will include conducting on-farm Milker Training Schools, whole herd tests, milker evaluations, MSPAP testing, and developing written SCC reduction plans.

“I am very excited MMPA is a partner in the FSF program due to the exposure Stephanie is gaining in the dairy industry,” says MMPA Member Representative Christy Dinsmoore, who works closely with the FSF interns. “She is learning practical knowledge that will help her relate to her future clients when she is a practicing veterinarian in Michigan. The lasting relationships that are developed between MMPA and the vet students involved in the FSF program are just another step to opening the doors of communication as these students establish themselves in the industry.”

Stephanie comes to MMPA with a wide variety of large animal experience already under her belt.

She grew up spending time on her grandparent’s dairy farm in Forestville and now occasionally works with her husband’s family dairy in Harbor Beach. She spent five years as a veterinary assistant for Harbor Beach Veterinary Services during which time she earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Ferris State University and later, a bachelor’s degree of

16 August 2011

animal science in production medicine at Michigan State University.

While completing her undergraduate studies, Stephanie had the opportunity to work with a USDA veterinarian testing for Bovine TB in Michigan cattle. As a research assistant for MSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM), she was involved in researching Salmonella on Michigan dairy farms where she learned the entire research process from collecting samples, to preparing sample mediums, incubating samples and keeping records. As part of her duties there, Stephanie also assisted farmers in creating workable biosecurity plans for their farms.

“It was my responsibility to set up appointments with various dairy and beef farms in Michigan to discuss biosecurity measures,” Stephanie says. “The experience was amazing, since I ended up traveling and meeting producers

all over the state. At the farms, I discussed with the farmers any issues they wanted looked into and then did a walk around to obtain the necessary data for the collection.”

Stephanie says she enjoys the duties she’s involved in at MMPA, which will help give her an in-depth look into Michigan’s dairy industry.

Stephanie is on track to graduate from MSU’s CVM program in 2014 and is looking forward to becoming a Food Animal Veterinarian in the future.

“My professional goal is to become a knowledgeable practitioner who is able to provide the highest quality of care and be a useful resource to the agricultural community,” Stephanie says. “I feel the Food Systems Fellowship program can help me to meet this goal by expanding and improving my knowledge of food animal systems and developing new skills that are applicable to being a successful Food Animal Veterinarian.”

“The substantial increases in both butter fat and protein content that I have seen is equating to a lot of extra money.”

- Keith Scharrer

Michigan dairy producer MetaSmart user since Fall of 2010

The Smart Choice for Dairy Producers The JBS United Dairy Team has been achieving great success with Adisseo’s new MetaSmart product. This amino acid balancer (methionine) gets absorbed into the cow’s bloodsteam and aids the cow in not only producing more milk, but in producing a higher percentage of both protein and butter fat in that milk. Milk with these components at a higher percentage is purchased at a premium price from the producer, increasing their revenue and profits.

The minimal added cost of using MetaSmart is easily recovered, allowing the increases in revenues and profits to be realized more quickly by the producer. To see exactly how much you could benefit by using MetaSmart, visit www.MilkPay.com, choose your territory, then plug your numbers into the calculator. The results may amaze you!

These multiple benefits combine to provide more revenue and higher profits for the dairy producer. Keith Scharrer is a Michigan dairy producer that has been using MetaSmart since the Fall of 2010. He is very happy with the product and welcomed the opportunity to be interviewed about his experience with it.

Below are the highlights from that interview.

“My butter fat went from 3.4% - 3.6% to 4.2% - 4.4%, and my protein went from around 3.1% to 3.5% - 3.6%. I also gained 3 lbs or more of milk production per head per day.”

“The substantial increases in both butter fat and protein content that I have seen is equating to a lot of extra money. With MetaSmart, I’m shipping more solids and less water, and that is making my operation more profitable.”

“The JBS United Dairy Team is great to work with. They are truly cost-conscious and try to save you money.”

Opti-Milk (JBS Model) is a complex product that balances for over 100 nutrients and amino acids in dairy cows, allowing the producer to realize many benefits, including:

Contact a JBS United Dairy Team member today to learn more about MetaSmart and what it can do for your operation. Keith Scharrer is certainly glad he did.

• • • • • • • • •

• • • • •

Reduced Crude Protein, Possible Ration Cost Reduction Increased Protein Content in the Milk Increased Fat Content in the Milk Higher Milk Yields Improved Microbial Protein Flow Reduced Nitrogen Excretion Better Body Condition Better Reproduction Lower Somatic Cell Count

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Michigan Milk Messenger 17

MMPA 4-H Milk Marketing Tour

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tudents and adult leaders of 4-H Clubs and FFA Chapters from several Michigan counties gathered at the MMPA headquarters in Novi, June 16-17 for the 74th Annual 4-H/MMPA Milk Marketing Tour.

The two-day conference, cosponsored by MMPA and Michigan State University Extension, is the longest running 4-H tour in existence with over 4,000 students having participated.

The focus of the tour is to educate students about milk marketing principles, as well as the duties and operations of a dairy cooperative. MMPA staff members shared information about milk marketing, dairy policies and milk quality testing. For many of the students, this was their first formal exposure to cooperatives and their vital role in milk marketing.

Chairing the event was Mark Dick, of McBain, a participant from last year’s tour. To kick off the tour, Mark shared his experiences from last year’s 4-H tour and his trip to the National 4-H Dairy Conference.

MMPA sponsored a trip to the conference this past October for Mark and four other participants from last year’s tour.

MMPA Director of Finance Joe Diglio explained milk marketing principles, including how milk is priced and how dairy products are classified. He also discussed

18 August 2011

MMPA’s Ovid plant expansion project and how MMPA’s plants serve as a balancing function for Michigan’s consistently expanding dairy industry.

own agricultural cooperatives.

They were given the challenge to create a product or service for their cooperative to be presented the following day.

“Michigan continues to be a milk producing state and we expect that upward trend to continue for years to come,” Joe said.

“As a cooperative, MMPA has experienced a nice growth pattern of milk production. The majority of this increase in production has been processed through our manufacturing facilities.”

The participants learned about milk testing procedures, milk quality and other services MMPA provides its members from MMPA’s manager of Producer Testing and Herd Health Programs Dean Letter.

Following Dean’s presentation the students got to see first hand how milk samples are tested in the MMPA lab.

MMPA Communications Manager Laura Moser helped the students better understand how a cooperative works and why they are beneficial to farmers using personal examples of how cooperatives have positively affected her life and the lives of many MMPA members and associates.

During the first day, the students were split into groups and asked to form their

“Our members do an awesome job at milk quality,” Dean said.

“MMPA has been below 200,000 SCC as a cooperative. That is considered very good nationwide.”

Dr. John Partridge of MSU’s food science department prepared the students for a tour of Michigan Dairy in Livonia. He showed them a video of the plant and then explained how milk is processed through a dairy plant. During the plant tour, they got to watch what he taught in action—the processing of fluid milk. This gave the students an opportunity to learn what happens to milk after it leaves the farm.

The students had the chance to talk about various topics with

MMPA staff members during breakfast Thursday morning.

Afterward, MMPA President Ken Nobis gave the group an overview and update of the dairy industry in Michigan and nationally. He discussed the positive impact the dairy industry has on Michigan’s economy, as well as the issues facing the industry in the state. On the national level, Ken explained several programs facilitated by the National Milk Producers Federation that will benefit dairy farmers throughout the country.

He pointed out the importance of the Cooperatives Working Together

Program’s Export program and how export markets are and will be the way the dairy industry can increase sales.

“U.S. domestic consumption is stable, any gain we see will be due to population growth,” Ken said.

“Due to the growth of the middle class in many areas of the world, we expect export markets to grow 3-4 times that of our domestic markets.”

The students took a quiz covering what they learned during the tour. The top scorers on the quiz will have the opportunity to vie for a trip to the National 4-H Dairy Conference this fall. Following the quiz, the students presented their

cooperative projects to the entire group.

At the end of the tour, Dr. Joe Domecq, MSU’s Ag Tech Dairy Management Program coordinator and 4-H Dairy Youth Specialist, met with the students to discuss career opportunities in agriculture.

He explained that change, whether unexpected or planned, is inevitable and told them the key to their future lies in education and discussed the many options and degree programs found at MSU as well as how students could get scholarship money to help pay for their education. He also encouraged the students to stay involved—at home, school and college.

2011 MMPA/4-H Milk Marketing Tour Participants Branch County

Saginaw County

Hunter Stafford

T.J. Frahm

Rhonda Stafford**

Shiawassee County Huron County

Brad Cole

Sander Poelma

Macy Cole

Missaukee County

Wexford County

Mark Dick*

Bethany Benson

Ottawa County

* Chairperson

Hayleigh Geurink

MMPA 4-H Conference Scholarship Winners (l-r) Brad Cole, Macy Cole, T.J. Frahm, Kelly Raterink and Hayleigh Geurink.

** Chaperone

Jason Krepps Kelly Raterink Mark Krepps**

Michigan Milk Messenger 19

The Great Dairy Adventure O

ver 1,000 people spent a fun, hot summer day at the 14th annual Great Dairy Adventure consumer education day on July 20 at the Michigan State University (MSU) Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education.

The free one-day event is geared to the young (and young at heart), families, day-care providers and summer campers, and anyone interested in gaining a better understanding of the importance of Michigan’s dairy industry to the state’s economy, the multi-step journey milk takes to reach our refrigerators and the nutritious benefits dairy products provide. It’s also an opportunity to talk to and learn from local farmers and ask questions about how food gets from the farm to your table.

The high temperatures and heat advisory issued for the day kept some day cares and preschools from attending, but those that did make it out enjoyed the day.

“We had fewer kids this year than usual, but I think those that did come really enjoyed the day,” says Carla McLachlan, MSU 4-H and animal science event coordinator. “With fewer people the kids had more time to explore the exhibits and talk with the volunteers.”

MMPA sponsored a lacing cow craft project and a mini milker training station. A variety of other activities, from making

20 August 2011

and eating a cheese “bug” to touching and smelling the feeds that cows eat, were on hand to amuse and educate participants. Children of all ages got to take their turn milking a cow by hand, petting calves, all while learning about various segments of the dairy industry. MSU athletes were on site to sign autographs. Some even joined in the fun by milking a cow or wearing the dairy costumes and posing for photos with participants.

In addition to free dairy treats and takehome projects, participants could visit one-onone with MSU large animal veterinary students during hands-on activities with cows. Parents and people who work with children received nutrition education materials that include simple, tasty recipe ideas to try at home.

The Great Dairy Adventure is part of the largest dairy event in Michigan, the Michigan Dairy Expo, a five-day event that brings together 4-H clubs from across the state to compete in different contests. If you would like to volunteer for next year’s Great Dairy Adventure, please contact Karla Macelli at MMPA’s Novi office 248-474-6672.

Michigan Milk Messenger 21

MSU Nets $5 Million Grant to Increase Dairy Production Efficiency

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s human populations increase and available arable land decreases, agricultural systems are under pressure to produce more food more efficiently.

Michigan State University researchers believe that breeding dairy cows that produce milk with less feed can help meet this goal.

“We already know how to get cows to produce more than 100 pounds of milk a day—we have the science to be able to do that,” said Mike VandeHaar, animal science professor and MSU AgBioResearch scientist. “Our question now is whether some cows are genetically predisposed to produce that milk with less feed. If we find that feed efficiency is inherent in a cow’s DNA, it will improve our ability to sustainably produce the milk and dairy products that our growing population consumes.”

Through a $5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, VandeHaar and his fellow MSU researchers have set goals to increase the efficiency and sustainability of milk production by:

• Educating future leaders, voters and consumers about key practices in dairy husbandry that promote feed efficiency and sustainability.

• Developing a feed-efficiency database on 8,000 genomically characterized Holstein cows.

• Determining the genetic architecture of feed efficiency and building a foundation for genomic selection of more efficient animals.

• Developing and implementing genomic breeding tools to produce cows with enhanced feed efficiency.

• Developing and implementing practical support tools to improve whole-herd feed efficiency.

22 August 2011

“We are excited about this USDA grant program,” VandeHaar said. “Improving stewardship of resources in the dairy industry has been a lifelong passion of mine. If we’re going to eat animal products and feed more people, we have to do it more efficiently.”

“Projects like this are critically

O

important to our planet,” he said.

“If we can’t figure out efficient ways to feed 9 billion people in the next 40 years, we will have hungry people, political unrest and no place left for native ecosystems because we’ll be using those lands to grow food.”

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Even After 60 years, Volunteering Never Gets Old for Clinton County 4-H Dairy Club Leaders

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eorge and Shirley Hazle are familiar faces in Clinton County 4-H and local, regional and state dairy industry circles.

The couple – who collectively have served 115 years as county 4-H club leaders – has provided a constant supply of encouragement, leadership and instruction to youth, even before their oldest daughter was old enough to start participating in 4-H in 1961. This year is George’s 60th year and Shirley’s 55th year as a 4-H club leader and volunteer.

Fellow Clinton County 4-H club leader Gary Hurst has known the Hazle’s for 25 years. He said they bring an unparalleled level of commitment to both 4-H members and the organization as a whole.

“The knowledge they provide to young people is endless, and their continual promotion of the dairy industry is probably overlooked by many,” he shared. “It’s nice anytime someone commits a few years of their life to an organization, but when we start talking about dedicating 55 years or more, then it’s a lifetime commitment that not many people can even begin to dream about.

“The influence they have had on my life has been a blessing,” Hurst continued. “Even though we have had a few disagreements along the way, I am a better person for having known them.”

Shirley Hazle is most impressed by the work ethic she sees instilled in young people who participate in 4-H. Another highlight is watching 4-H members grow up and seeing what the highest achievers accomplish in their life and careers.

“Years ago, one of our next door neighbors didn’t have cows, but the young daughter became involved in our 4-H group anyway,”

she recalled. “Thanks to being involved in 4-H and working with the animals, she went on to college to become a veterinarian and is still practicing today.”

Hazle added that volunteering never gets old, even though the couple has considered retiring from their 4-H club leadership in the past, only to find themselves back for another year.

“You never get old when you’re working with kids!” Shirley admitted. “Volunteering and working with the young people allows us a chance to teach and, when you’re working one on one with the kids, you get to know them on a different level. It never gets old.”

George started his 4-H career as a member of a potato club, and then switched to a dairy club when his family moved to a dairy farm in Fowler. The Hazle’s started their 4-H volunteer career with the Victor 4-H Club, the club Shirley had been a member of for 10 years as she was growing up. They transitioned to the Scattered Southeast 4-H Club, one of the county’s oldest groups, a few years later. This club has traditionally been smaller with an

average of six to 10 active members at any given time. This year’s group, which includes two Clover Buds (ages 5 to 8) and four older members, exhibited at the annual Michigan 4-H Dairy Days July 18-21 at Michigan State University (MSU) and the Clinton County Fair in St. Johns July 31-August 4.

George has worked with dairy cattle for his entire life, first as a herdsman, then as an A.I. (artificial insemination) technician and milk tester before starting to build his own dairy herd when his oldest daughter started participating in 4-H. Shirley, a crop farmer’s daughter who swore she’d never marry a dairy farmer, took on dairy farming as a full-time career after working 30 years as a milk tester.

The couple, who will celebrate their 61st anniversary this November, is still actively dairy farming at their rural St. Johns operation where they milk 60 head of registered Holsteins and Brown Swiss animals.

Michigan Milk Messenger 23

Larsens Named NorthStar Progressive Dairy Producers

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MPA members and current OYDCs Burke and Lisa Larsen have had an exciting year — first being named MMPA’s 2010 OYDC and then receiving the 2010 NorthStar Cooperative Progressive Dairy Producer Award. While both recognitions were nice suprises, they didn’t happen by accident. A renewed emphasis on cow comfort, quality and attention to all the details around the farm sharpened the Larsens management skills and boosted overall production and quality.

In the past five years, the farm has increased milk production by 4,518 pounds of milk, 284 pounds of fat, 160 pounds of protein and they have lowered their somatic cell count (SCC) by 21,000.

“I don’t feel we do anything special,” Burke said. “We just try to pay attention to the details and do as many things right as possible.”

Over the past five years, the rolling herd average for the 367head Holstein herd has increased to 26,178 pounds of milk; 1,068 pounds of fat; 805 pounds of protein with a dollar value of $3,973. The herd’s dollar value increase of $904 was the greatest gain compared to all herds using NorthStar’s DHI Services.

This increase earned them the Progressive Dairy Producer Award.

Among the details Burke is paying extra attention to are: improving cow comfort; reducing stocking density; being more aggressive with the reproduction program and using the dairy management software, PCDART.

Cow comfort is a high priority at the Scottville, Michigan farm and in 2007 a heifer barn was renovated to a 48-stall, sand-bedded barn for the cows. Additionally, temperature

24 August 2011

controlled fans were recently added and the barn yard where cows are fed was covered, providing protection from the weather regardless of the season.

“Overstocking was killing us,” Burke said. “We had added cows and we were still getting the same level of milk production.

Something had to change.”

With the recent improvements in place, the Larsens were able to reduce stocking density considerably and “We just try to pay attention to the as such, are now details and do as many things right as able to cull cows more selectively. possible.” — Burke Larsen Burke regularly reviews herd mate to track fresh cow issues, but deviation data and uses it as a guide beginning in April this past year, for culling. the data is being recorded in

“We’ve reached a point where we can cull cows selectively,” Burke said. “If they aren’t pregnant, are running a high SCC or just aren’t producing up to the standards of the rest of the herd, we cull them.”

Changes to the fresh cow program in the past five years have also contributed to the farm’s progress. Fresh cows are temperature checked for a minimum of five days, monitored for rumen fill and in general observed for how well they are doing. While this monitoring has been in place for a of couple years, the way the data is recorded was recently changed. Previously a hand-written report was used

PCDART. Entry of the information into PCDART makes it more accessible to everyone and it allows for a more proactive approach in managing cows.

“Milk quality is important to us too,” Burke adds. “We have been MMPA Silver Milk Quality award winners for several years.

Our quality premiums are very important to us because we know we’re doing our best to make sure we ship a quality product.”

While keeping a close eye on cows contributes greatly to milk quality, Burke is quick to credit the assistance of MMPA Member Representatives, which has enabled the Larsens to consistently produce

high quality milk on the farm.

Last year, their MMPA Member Representative helped the Larsens change their milking procedure, which has helped them reap the maximum benefits.

Lisa works off the farm as a Special Education Teacher, Burke operates the dairy with the help of six employees and his daughters Lindsey, Leah and Leta.

“We have a good team here,”

Burke said. “I try to keep the lines of communication open and talk to everyone each morning. As long as we have the land base and good employees like we do, we will continue to grow.”

While producing milk with low SCC levels adds revenue to the milk check; so does increased component levels. Several years ago the herd’s sire selection was changed to emphasize fat and protein production.

Through NorthStar’s Select Mating Service (SMS), sires are chosen that are plus for fat and protein test, as well as being +1.0 for udder composite and feet and legs composite. Along with using proven sires, the farm has also incorporated genomic young sires into their program.

Larsen Farms has obtained these remarkable production increases over the past five years while growing the herd by more than 100 head. A good calf program is the backbone of the farm’s ability to grow from within, while providing an opportunity to sell replacements. Like so many aspects of the dairy, there is a calf protocol in place at Larsen Farms to ensure all the necessary steps for starting calves out right are followed. A checklist that indicates the events to occur, as well as the date and who performed the task helps make sure the protocol is followed.

Established in 1957 by Larsen’s grandfather, along with his parents Warren and Judee; Larsen and his wife Lisa took ownership of the farm in 2005. While

1.800.631.3510 northstarcooperative.com

Michigan Milk Messenger 25

MSUE Director Tom Coon Meets with Advisory Committee

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SU Extension Director Tom Coon met with the MMPA Advisory Committee in July to outline the changes taking place in Extension, including the introduction on the nationwide Extension.org online resource service.

“We are looking to capture key economic opportunities for Michigan,” Coon said. “We need to innovate and grow our agriculture and agribusiness communities and MSU extension plans to be a driving force in this sector.”

Coon outlined the four new administrative units called Extension Program Institutes that have been created. These programs will focus on:

• Greening Michigan: Leveraging Natural and Human Assets for Prosperity

• Enhancing Michigan’s First Green Industry: Agriculture and Agribusiness

director and 82 county offices managed by county Extension directors.

• Preparing Michigan’s Children & Youth for the Future

Changes in administration have also changed the responsibilities of MSUE staff. According to Coon, staff previously assigned administrative responsibilities will be reassigned to programmatic roles in one of the four institutes.

Other staff have applied for new assignments within the four institutes.

• Improving Health and Nutrition for Michigan residents

“Michigan State University was the leader at the start of the Extension service back in 1855,” he said. “We want to continue that tradition of cutting edge research and improving productivity and market access.”

A new administrative structure within the MSUE system streamlines the response and action time on important issues. The new administrative units replaced the past structure of five administrative offices, each led by a regional

“We have made significant changes in the structure of MSUE to ensure that we will remain agile and current in meeting Michigan’s needs,” Coon said. “Michigan’s food system in a thriving $71.3 billion contributor to the state’s economy.”

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Milk Producers Continue to Enroll in New National Dairy FARM Program to Assure Consumers Nearly 50 Percent of Milk Supply Now Under FARM Umbrella

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oday’s consumers want to know that the food they purchase is safe, wholesome, nutritious, and produced with integrity.

U.S. milk producers are demonstrating that commitment by enrolling at a rapid pace in the National Dairy FARM Program: Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM). In fact, since enrollment began in September 2010, 45 percent of the nation’s milk supply now comes from farmers, cooperatives, and proprietary processors implementing the FARM program.

Voluntary and open to all producers, FARM is a national dairy animal care, third-party verified program designed to demonstrate dairy farmers’ commitment to outstanding animal care and a quality milk supply.

Independent dairy producers, proprietary processors, and cooperatives are quickly coming on board.

“We recognize the importance of demonstrating to consumers that we are providing excellent animal care,” says Dean Letter, MMPA Manager of Producer Testing and Herd Health Programs. “We have been impressed by the interest expressed in our members to participate in this program.”

FARM was created by the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), along with support from Dairy Management, Inc. FARM provides thorough animal care education for producers, on-farm evaluations, and objective third-party verification, giving customers and consumers the assurances they deserve.

co-op field staff member, or other FARM-trained professional.

Evaluators then provide a status report and, if necessary, recommendations for improvement.

To protect the integrity and credibility of the program, a certain number of participating dairy farms will be randomly selected for objective third-party verification.

Validus, an Iowa-based certified auditing company with more than 10 years of experience verifying on-farm animal care, has been selected to conduct all third-party evaluations and will begin that process this summer.

“Dairy farmers are passionate about the care they provide to their animals and have an excellent track record of responsible management practices,” said Jamie Jonker, Vice President of Scientific and Regulatory Affairs at NMPF. “This program quantifies that passion and allows them to speak with one voice as they market nationally and internationally. The pace of participation has surpassed our expectations.”

Developed in partnership with producers, veterinarians, and animal care experts, FARM is a comprehensive program that incorporates the latest innovations in animal care from birth to marketing.

Participating producers are provided comprehensive training materials and undergo an on-farm evaluation conducted by a trained veterinarian, extension educator,

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Michigan Milk Messenger 27

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

Laundry Soaps The MMPA warehouse handles four different types of laundry soaps for use on the farm or as a household detergent.

Two of the products are liquid and two of the items are powdered. These products are listed below:

Liquid Laundry Soap from Ecolab comes in a 1-gallon container and is designed for use on heavily-soiled work clothes but is also safe for delicates and fine fabrics.

This product can be used in hot or warm washes, and it has a nice lemon-fresh smell. Directions for use on light loads are ¼ cup per load, and for heavy loads is ½ cup per load.

Stock # 6004

Member Price: $12.56

Liquid Lustersuds (15 gal. container) from Ecolab is an industrial soap-based product that works especially well on cotton fabrics. Although designed originally for shirt and diaper laundries, it can work well for cleaning cloth udder prep towels. Lustersuds contains no phosphorous or bleach and will work well in warm and hot water cycles on all washable fabrics. It is recommended for use in softened water and is compatible with dry or liquid bleaches.

Stock # 6980

Chor Mate Laundry Detergent (100#) from Ecolab is a powdered, heavy-duty cleaner that can be used for cleaning normal laundry or barn clothes and cloth udder prep towels.

It contains no phosphorous or bleach and has good wetting agents. The major active ingredients are sodium carbonate and sodium metasilicate. Top loading washers use ½ cup of product and front loading washers use 1/3 cup. For heavy soils, it is recommended to use an extra 1/3 cup.

Stock # 6076

Towel Brite (100#) by A & L is a commercial powdered soap for use on cloth udder prep towels. It is a concentrated, biodegradable product containing organic chlorine bleach. There is no reason to add more bleach to your wash, and the type of bleach is gentler than liquid bleach. Directions for use are: 1 oz. for every 3 to 5 gallons of water (will work in any temperature). For most washer cycles, this would equate to about ½ cup per load.

Stock # 3524

Member Price: $171.25

Member Price: $193.25

Supervisor: Joe Mishler 989-681-2334 Fax: 989-681-3988 Toll Free: 877-367-6455

Order Your MMPA Merchandise through your milk hauler or call:

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MMPA Quality Premium Program

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

• 51,000 - 75,000 +50¢/cwt.

• 76,000 - 100,000 +45¢/cwt.

• 101,000 - 125,000 +40¢/cwt.

• 126,000 - 150,000 +35¢/cwt.

• 151,000 - 175,000 +30¢/cwt.

• 176,000 - 200,000 +25¢/cwt.

• 201,000 - 225,000 +20¢/cwt.

• 226,000 - 250,000 +15¢/cwt.

• 251,000 - 400,000 00¢/cwt.

• 401,000 - 500,000 -15¢/cwt.

• 501,000 - 600,000 -30¢/cwt.

• 601,000 - 750,000 -$1.00/cwt.

• Over 750,000 -$1.50/cwt.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MMPA Member Testing Fees

P

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

• Scheduled Herd Tests $1

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

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

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

Chemical, Sanitizer & Teat Dip Contact Information

Members who choose to receive their lab test results via U.S. postal service: $2/month Additional Tests Available: All costs are listed per individual sample.

• Mycoplasma Cultures $ 8 • Bacteriology Cultures $12

– Includes identification of bacteria and drug susceptibility.

• Bovine Viral Diarrhea

- PCR

- ELISA • Johne’s Milk Test

- PCR

- ELISA – cows - ELISA – tank • Bovine Leukosis Test

- ELISA – cows - ELISA – tank

$40 $ 6 $40 $ 6 $10 $ 6 $10

These are service personnel only.

Order your Member Merchandise supplies through your hauler.

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

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

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

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

Michigan Milk Messenger 29

Freeliners Call 1-800-572-5824 ext. 224 to place your ad

Bulls REGISTERED HOLSTEIN BULLS: We now have a nice selection of service age bulls, sired by top AI sires. Green Meadow Farms, Elsie, MI. 989-862-4291 or see our website at www.greenmeadowfarms.com.

SERVICE AGE HOLSTEIN BULLS. Call Steve Alexander, 810-622-8548 evenings or 810-404-8548.

ONE BREEDING AGE Jersey bull, $850.

989-551-7539.

Freeliner Policy The Freeliners column is open to current MMPA members who wish to advertise—at no charge—goods or services relating directly to their dairy farm operations.

• An item submitted will be published for no more than two consecutive months (one month, unless otherwise requested).

• After that, it will be withdrawn.

• It will be published again for no more than two consecutive months only if the member resubmits the item by contacting their MMPA Member Representative or by writing or calling the Novi office.

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

• If the member does not wish such deletion, he may choose to have the item published as a Classified Ad at the regular perline Classified Ad rate.

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

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

30 August 2011

REGISTERED HOLSTEIN BREEDING BULLS, all AI sired from top bulls, b&w, red, red carrier and some polled, high production, low SCC herd. Bulls are priced to sell. Ver Hage Holsteins, 269-673-4886 or 269-217-6076, ask for Tim. www. verhageholsteins.com.

Equipment N.H. FP240 CHOPPER, like new, used less than 2 seasons, w/ hay head and 3 row corn head, asking $50,000. Case I.H. forage blower, like new, used less than one season, asking $7,000. 2 – Gehl 970 18 ft. forage wagons, great shape, asking $4,000 ea. N.H. 18 ft. forage wagon, $2,500. 616-262-6808.

GOODYEAR TRACTOR tires, 13.6 x 28 in., tread 50%, $200/set. Also, 1 rim, 12 x 28 in., $75. 616-878-9378.

50 RUBBER MATS, 4 x 7 ft. 810-404-2738.

BALE SPEAR for JD640 loader, quick attach, $550. 2003 Honda 400EX 4-wheeler, good shape, $1,925. AC8010 4WD tractor, rough. AC7040 tractor w/ new rear tires, 18.4 x 38. AC7000 tractor, no cab. Gleaner M combine. JD2355 tractor w/ loader. All tractors need work. Package deal - $24,000.

810-376-8667.

N.H. 1895 FORAGE HARVESTER, newer 300 h.p. cat motor, 4 row corn head, 10 ft. hay head. 989-277-6320.

NDE VERTICAL TMR mixer, flip out conveyor, VG cond. 260-768-7698.

4 – 16.1 X 16.5 FLOATATION tires on 8 bolt rims. 1490 Case IH hydroswing haybine.

269-758-3268.

GEHL 910 AND 960 self-unloading wagons on tandem gears $1500 and $3200 or make offers. BU940 for parts or use $600 box only.

Maytag gas clothes dryer $50 or offer.

810-404-0468.

Dairy Equipment 2 – SURGE 800 GAL. bulk tanks, 989-7246400 or 989-335-0809.

VACUUM PUMP, 2HP, 240 v., 2 in. outlet, Boumatic-DairyKool, good cond., $500. 616681-2550.

AUTOMATED DAIRY EQUIP pipeline washer model 31, needs a water valve. 517331-3872.

DELAVAL NEW CENTURY 1,000 gal. tank and washer, $2,250. 5 h.p. DeLaval vacuum pump, $400. 810-387-2087.

Misc.

BORDER COLLIE PUPS, all red and white, mother and father on site in Sanilac Co. 810366-0666.

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

Ingredients from your trusted source.

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

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

Citrus Pulp

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

Valero Meal

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!

wet, smelly bed crawling with bacteria.

You wouldn’t lie in a

Bedding Additive

Why should she?

Dry, odor-free bedding gives you both a good night’s sleep.

Dirty bedding can cause mastitis, the most costly disease in agriculture.

Sani-Bed II™ bedding additive dries and absorbs ammonia to quickly control bacterial growth in your herd’s environment for several days. Its superior effectiveness also reduces environmentally caused lameness and fly problems.

• • • •

Helps reduce environmental mastitis Retains comfort of organic material without typical bacterial downside Absorbs moisture and ammonia better than lime Fast acting, long lasting and cost effective

Learn more about Sani-Bed II — call 800.225.3832 or visit www.AandL-Labs.com. © 2010 A&L Laboratories Sani-Bed ll is a trademark of A&L Laboratories.

Classifieds Call 1-800-572-5824 ext. 224

Classified Ads ($5.65 per line) Mail ads, preferably typewritten, to: Classified Ads, Michigan Milk Messenger, PO BOX 8002, Novi, MI 48376-8002. Ads must be received by the 10th of the month before the month of desired publication. Send check or money order for $11.30 (two lines) with your order. MMPA neither sponsors nor endorses products or services advertised in the Messenger.

OPPERMAN GROOVING: Diamond sawed grooves, no hammering or cracking of concrete. No hoof damage. Call Opperman Grooving Inc., Portland. 517-647-7381. ______________________________________ DAVIDSON CEMENT GROOVING, INC: NO water needed. Wider, rougher grooves for better traction. We also offer texturing for your previously grooved floors. 3 operators will travel Michigan and other states. No interest payment terms. Est. since 1987.

Call 1-800-365-3361. ______________________________________ CONCRETE GROOVING BY TRI-STATE SCABBLING, home of the 2” wide groove. Best traction, lowest prices.

(800) 554-2288. www.tristatescabbling.com ______________________________________ CONCRETE GROOVING/FLOOR TEXTURING: Bring existing grooves back to 100% efficiency/new construction. Blue Ribbon Hoof Trimming, LLC. 989-635-1494. ______________________________________ FOR SALE: 5000-4000-3000-2500-20001500 OH MUELLER LATE MODEL BULK TANK MILK TANKS, complete, will trade. 1-800-558-0112. ______________________________________ WANTED TO BUY: USED BULK MILK TANKS, 200 gallons & larger, Sunset & Mueller, 1-800-558-0112. ______________________________________ BARN WHITE WASHING: servicing all of Michigan and Indiana. Miller Spray Service, Inc. 574-825-9776. ______________________________________ CUSTOM HEIFER RAISING, family owned, 20 yr. exp., 2,500-3,000, AI breeding, clients choice of semen, preg. checked, nutritionist, veterinary and vaccination protocol, member of Dairy Calf and Heifer Assn. 231-757-3118 or cell 231-590-7455. ______________________________________ BRADFORD WHITE HOT WATER HEATER, 100 gal. LP, new in 3-08. Silo unloaders: 10 h.p. 20 ft. Patz ring drive; 7 ½ h.p. 20 ft. Patz surface drive; 5 h.p. 16 ft.

Patz surface drive; 5 h.p. 14 ft. Jamesway ring drive. 41 freestalls. 2 – 9 ft. gates, 1 w/ 4 headlocks, 1 w/ 2 headlocks. Large square bales of hay or straw. 616-262-5026 or 616262-5025. ______________________________________ ZERO-DUNCAN BULK TANK, 150 gal., self contained, nice SS tank, $2,000.

989-635-1494.

32 August 2011

Precision Reproductive Management ™

We are getting cows pregnant sooner “Since we installed Select Detect, our breeding performance has really improved. We are getting 25 percent more pregnancies each week with Select Detect compared to the same period last year when we were using timed A.I. We are getting cows pregnant sooner and that saves us time and money. Select Detect is the best investment I’ve made in three years.”

Mario VanderHulst, Sturgis Dairy, Sturgis, Michigan

Monitors cow activity around the clock so you don’t have to Identifies a high percentage of cows in heat Reduces the need for timed A.I., saving you time and money Identifies non-cycling cows quickly Backed by professionally trained, local service representatives Photo by Jenny Thomas, Cybil Fisher Photography

Talk to your area NorthStar representative to learn more.

800.631.3510 northstarcooperative.com

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

MILK SHIPPED — POSITIVE DRUGS CONFIRMED

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MMPA Policy on Milk Quality QUALITY QUESTIONABLE

REJECTED LOAD SHIPMENT

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

If:

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

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

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

MILK SHIPPED – HIGH BACTERIA COUNT If:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

HAULER

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

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

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

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

Michigan Milk Messenger 33

Market Report For Milk Marketed in June 2011

MARKET STATISTICS

Mideast Federal Order #33 (pounds)

This Month

Year Ago

% Change

Total Class 1 Sales

466,463,347

480,149,091

-2.85

Total Class 2 Sales

135,735,351

209,780,735

-35.30

Total Class 3 Sales

555,936,321

507,390,303

+9.57

Total Class 4 Sales

125,412,952

123,896,799

+1.22

1,283,547,971 1,321,216,928

-2.85

Total Production Class 1 Utilization

36.3%

36.3%

Mideast Federal Order #33

Current Month Total Producers 6,791 Average Daily Production per Farm 6,300 Average Protein Test 2.97% Average Butterfat Test 3.57% Average Other Solids Test 5.73% Average SCC Count (MMPA) 193,000

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

$2.9807

Butterfat Price/lb.

$2.3702

Other Solids Price/lb.

$0.3339

Class III Price @ 3.5%

$ 19.11

Prod. Price Diff/cwt. (Mich. Mkt.) Uniform Price @ 3.5% SCC Adjustment/cwt./1000

$1.49 $ 20.60 $0.00095

NASS Survey Prices

Monthly Avg. Cheese/lb. 1.8999 Butter/lb. 2.1287 Nonfat Dry Milk/lb.

1.6520

Dry Whey/lb.

0.5233

34 August 2011

NATIONAL TRENDS (million pounds)

Production California

2011

2010 % Change

3,511

3,394 +3.4

Wisconsin

2,209

2,246

-1.6

Idaho

1,127

1,073

+5.0

New York

1,083

1,080

+0.3

Pennsylvania

880

898

-2.0

Texas

803

728 +10.3

Minnesota

749

785

-4.6

Michigan

719

718

+0.1

New Mexico

689

676

+1.9

Washington

524

493

+6.3

Ohio

429

448

-4.2

Indiana

291

293

-0.7

* Total U.S.

15,394

15,186

+1.4

* U.S. Y-T-D

98,860

97,201

+1.7

* For 23 states

COMMODITY CREDIT CORP. (CCC) PURCHASES (million pounds)

Butter Cheese Nonfat Dry Milk Total Solids

This Year Month Ago 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

MMPA Staff NOVI (Headquarters) 248-474-6672

800-572-5824 General Manager Clay Galarneau, ext. 200 Member Services/Quality Control Milk Sales/Dispatch Finance/Controller Gary Trimner, ext. 213 Carl Rasch, ext. 244 Joseph M. Diglio, ext. 240 Producer Testing/Herd Health Programs Manufactured Sales Credit/Insurance

Dean Letter, ext. 217 Jim Dodson, ext. 229 Cheryl Schmandt, ext. 210 Laboratory Supervisor Member Relations/Public Affairs Data Processing

Patti Huttula, ext. 219 Sheila Burkhardt, ext. 208 Gregory Schulkey, ext. 237 Human Resources Member Communications

Cindy Tilden, ext. 220 Laura Moser

MANUFACTURING PLANTS

Constantine 269-435-2835 Plant Manager Dave Davis

MMPA FIELD STAFF

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

MASTITIS MANAGEMENT EAST AREA Tom Herremans Ravenna

231-853-8008 mobile 269-967-0890

Steven Lehman............................989-875-3441 Ithaca mobile 989-330-1638

NORTH AREA Supervisor: Gerry Volz St. Louis Office..........................989-681-5183 Frank Brazeau...............................920-834-4059 Oconto, Wis. mobile 906-250-0337 Ben Chapin................................................................

Haslett mobile 989-289-0731 Preston Cole..................................231-584-2587 Mancelona mobile 989-289-9301 Steven Lehman............................989-875-3441 Ithaca mobile 989-330-1638 Katie Pierson.............................................................

Coleman mobile 989-289-9686 Kristin Rawlings........................................................

Crystal mobile 231-414-4539 Lyndsay Stakenas....................................................

Fremont mobile 231-519-2455 Gerry Volz.......................................989-848-5996 Fairview mobile 989-289-9219

Supervisor: Michael Marvin Marlette Office..........................989-635-3650 Gary Best........................................810-664-4984 Lapeer mobile 586-484-9279 Bulk Tank Calibration Christy Dinsmoore..................................................

Fairgrove mobile 989-528-9102 Richard Fluegge.......................................................

Cass City mobile 248-709-0283 Michael Marvin.........................................................

Marlette mobile 989-670-4864 SOUTH AREA Supervisor: Dale Ledebuhr Battle Creek Office..................269-962-5550 David Brady...................................517-522-5965 Grass Lake mobile 517-937-9061 Dale Ledebuhr.......................269-965-2474 Battle Creek mobile 269-986-6791 Andrew Rupprecht.................................................

Reading mobile 269-986-6793 Kendra Stieg..............................................................

Kentwood mobile 269-245-6632 Ed Zuchnik.................................................................

Three Rivers mobile 269-967-7351 Krista Beeker.............................................................

Howe, IN mobile 269-986-6792 Melissa Erdman........................................................

Minden City mobile 810-701-6460

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

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

800-233-2405 7 a.m. - 4 p.m. Mon-Fri Ovid: 989-834-2515 6 a.m. - 10 p.m. Daily Constantine: 800-391-7560 7 a.m. - 10 p.m. Daily MERCHANDISE—ST. LOUIS Supervisor: Duane Farmer......989-681-2334 Fax.................................................989-681-3988 Toll Free.......................................877-367-6455 Orders (Novi).......800-572-5824 then dial 2

Michigan Milk Messenger 35