Michigan Milk Messenger: May 2014

Messenger Michigan Milk

The official publication of Michigan Milk Producers Association

Inside

www.mimilk.com VOL. 96 ISSUE 11 MAY 2014

Top Quality Award Winners • YC Conference

contents Michigan Milk Messenger EDITOR’S LETTER

4

MMPA Matters

Increasing Consumer Confidence

6

Quality Watch

Newborn Calf Nonnegotiables

8 News & Views Legislative Watch 10

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NMPF Asks FDA to Rewrite Draft Animal Feed Regulation

FEATURES

12

A Cinderella Story: Top Quality Award Winners

15

MMPA 4-H Milk Marketing Tour Form

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Silent Thief 16 The Robbing Dairy Farmers

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Managing Editor............................. Sheila Burkhardt Editors ............. Laura Moser, 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: MMPA members, 50¢ per year; non-members, $5 per year.

41310 Bridge St.

Telephone: 248-474-6672

P.O. Box 8002 Novi, MI 48376-8002

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)

18 18

MMPA Young Cooperators Conference

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UDIM Rebranding Reflects Diversity and Versatility of Dairy Products

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Breakfast on the Farm Participants Shared Learning, Purchased more Dairy Products

Departments 24 25 26 28 29 30 31

Merchandise Quality Premiums Freeliners Classifieds Policies Market Report Staff

Cover Story This year’s MMPA Top Quality Award Winners went from high-count notices to gold level quality. Read about their “Cinderella” story on pages 12-14.

Michigan Milk Producers Association 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.

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 2. Tim Hood, Paw Paw 3. Bob Kran, Free Soil 4. John Kronemeyer, Pickford 5. Brent Wilson, Carson City 6. Tony Jandernoa, Fowler 7. Eric Frahm, Frankenmuth 8. Leonard Brown, Sandusky

517-529-9032 269-657-5771 231-464-5889 906-647-7638 989-584-3481 989-593-2224 989-652-3552 810-648-4505

May 2014

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

Directors-At-Large Ken Nobis, St. Johns

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Board of Directors

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MMPA MATTERS Ken Nobis

by

Increasing Consumer Confidence Today’s consumers have a tremendous variety of food and drink options available to them. The USDA’s Economic Research Service indicates a steady upward trend in new food item introductions since 1992.

The competition for space in the consumer’s stomach has never been keener.

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The dairy industry is not immune to the challenges of marketing. For example, we have battled various forms of the “fat is bad” idea for decades. Research today says not all fat is the same, and dairy fat is not the villain it has been portrayed. This has brought about a change in perception so that butter sales have increased, up about 25 percent per capita in the last five years. It did, however, take a number of years and millions of dollars worth of research to reverse the downward trend in butter consumption.

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Today’s consumers have a heightened interest not only in the nutritional aspects of food, but also in where their food comes from. They had become blasé about food origins, knowing milk came from the dairy case, but not connecting milk with a dairy farm. That attitude has changed for many consumers who not only recognize that milk comes from dairy farms, but want assurance the cows on those farms are

President

being treated well. Food retailers are frequently asked to answer questions about animal care. It is something each of us has an influence on every day, and it isn’t difficult to take a look at what we are doing on our farms to make sure we are not heightening the concerns of consumers and turning them away from the dairy aisle.

MMPA is cooperating with the National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) program, along with many other co-ops. This national animal care program for dairy farms provides a reasonable approach to answer consumers’ concerns. It is not a system where a dairy farm is graded or where it receives a “pass/fail” response. It is, instead, a type of an audit that results in ideas to help you assess and improve your practices, if necessary. When you volunteer, you schedule a walk-through of your farm and a discussion with a member of MMPA’s field staff.

FARM is not looking to expose anyone, but rather to reassure everyone, including ourselves, we provide an acceptable level of animal care.

In the early years of television a program called, “Candid Camera” came to life, running from 1948 until 2004. It was what we now would call a reality show series, featuring a hidden camera filming a practical joke. The situation played out until the recipient realized it was a practical joke at which point the moderator, Alan Funt, would say, “Smile, you’re on candid camera!” and everybody would laugh (at least on the edited versions) having enjoyed

the good-natured joke. Today it seems like everybody has a video recording device, and many use them to record undercover videos that turn up on YouTube to be seen by millions. Several have surfaced that haven’t been complimentary to our industry.

Granted, some footage has been misrepresented as animal abuse when it really wasn’t; however, some of the actions in the videos can’t be defended. Those images have increased animal care awareness among consumers.

The pressure has increased.

Several dairy co-ops have changed participation in FARM from voluntary to mandatory as a requirement of membership.

MMPA currently has 82 percent of our member milk involved. If we could achieve 100 percent voluntary participation, I think it would speak volumes about the concern our members have for our animals and the respect we have for our consumers. Plus it would avoid making participation mandatory.

Here’s the bottom line: Volunteer for the FARM program if you haven’t already done so. Contact me or another member who has already gone through this process if you want to know more before you call your member representative to schedule the walk-through. Become more actively involved in our mission of “marketing our members’ milk to the greatest advantage possible.” Consumers make many decisions in the grocery aisles, and they don’t have to buy dairy.

Let’s increase their comfort level so they can choose our excellent product with confidence.

2 June 2012

QUALITY WATCH By

Drew Rupprecht,

Member Representative and Christy Dinsmoore, Mastitis Management Specialist

Newborn Calf Nonnegotiables Calf care is becoming an ever-growing topic in today’s dairy industry.

More and more we hear that a farm’s calf care program can affect those animals’ abilities to become healthy, profitable and productive assets.

Studies have shown that quality calf care can grow calves bigger, faster, allowing earlier weaning, earlier milking and earlier payback.

Over the next two editions of the Messenger, the Quality Watch articles will take a more in-depth look into certain calf care practices and their benefits to producers and calves. This month, we will discuss practices that should be considered when formulating your newborn standard operating procedures (SOPs).

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What practices are best for the cow? How can we get the calf out to the best start possible? What will make that calf the most profitable?

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Employee Training Well thought-out protocols and SOPs are important parts of a dairy’s herd health plan. If employees are not trained to carry out these processes properly, they mean very little and can negatively impact newborn calf health.

Employees have direct contact with calves daily.

They have to perform tasks at peak levels so calves can reach peak performance.

Inconsistency in protocols can be the undoing of a good calf management program. If one calf feeder religiously follows calf feeding equipment cleaning guidelines and another calf feeder does not, calves are more likely to suffer. Employee training takes a substantial time investment, but the payoff in healthier calves is invaluable.

Environment and Equipment Sanitation A clean, dry and spacious calving area is important to getting a calf, and her mother, out to a good start.

Experts recommend individual calving pens with at least 140 sq. ft. of space or, if housed in group calving pens, at least 120 sq. ft. per cow is encouraged.

Make sure calving pens do not double as hospital pens. Calving is a time where the immune systems of both calf and cow are at their weakest. A clean and dry environment used only for calving reduces the bacteria exposure of calf and cow.

Equipment used in the calving process and for the collection and feeding of colostrum should be cleaned, sanitized and dried between each use. Decreasing the calf’s exposure to pathogens decreases the incidence of infection, and thereby allows the calf to become a productive member of the herd sooner.

For example, pathogens such as E. coli or Salmonella can cause scours.

Calves treated for scours are three times more likely to have their first calf after 30 months. [1] Colostrum Management With better colostrum management, 31 percent of dairy heifer calf mortality during the first 21 days could be prevented.

[2] A good colostrum management program involves a number of steps.

Milking the cow within one hour post calving ensures the maximum immunoglobulin G (IgG) in the milk. After one hour, the cow begins to reabsorb IgG and other biologically active components that make colostrum beneficial to calves.

Using a refractometer or colostrometer is the preferred method of measuring colostrum quality as there is no way to “eyeball” it. There is no rule of thumb either. Heifers can have very good colostrum while cows may produce a lot of poor quality colostrum.

Calves need to consume at least three quarts of colostrum within one hour of birth to maximize benefits. Studies show calves that consume four quarts versus two Continued on page 9

MASTICARE WITH LSA TECHNOLOGY KILLS VIRTUALLY ON CONTACT AND KEEPS WORKING, MAKING IT BOTH AN EXCELLENT PRE- AND POST-DIP SOLUTION. LSA technology also gives you more powerful broad spectrum protection. It kills mastitis-causing pathogens, including bacteria, fungi and viruses. Even when exposed to high levels of organic contaminants, which can lower the effectiveness of other traditional non-iodine dips, MASTICARE stays as effective as iodine. It’s gentle too. You’ll see less irritation and smoother softer teats, in all kinds of weather. That means better teat sanitation, lower somatic cell counts and improved milkability throughout your herd.

www.AandL-Labs.com www.AandL-Labs.com • 800-225-3832 1001 Glenwood Ave. N., Minneapolis, MN 55405

NEWS & VIEWS

March Milk Prices Remain High

The USDA announced the March Federal Order Class III milk price is $23.33 per cwt., down 2 cents from its record high last month, but $6.40 above March 2013. The March Class IV price is a record $23.66 per cwt., up 20 cents from February and $5.91 above a year ago.

Producers scoring 95 percent or more on Grade A Surveys and Federal Check Rating MMPA Defiance April 2014 Lawrence / Victor Huener Scott Norden Freedom Meadows LLC Hendricks and Krieger LLC Emmons Farms LLC Martinline LLC Herman’s Holsteins LLC * Philip Raber

*100 percent

Upcoming Events

May

Hauler Meetings Continue

June

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May 2014

25-26 MMPA-4-H Milk Marketing Tour - Novi

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Application deadline for the 2014 Michigan Youth Livestock Scholarship is May 31, 2014

Since 2000, the Michigan Youth Livestock Scholarship Fund (MYLSF) has awarded more than $350,000 in scholarships and educational awards to outstanding youth who have exhibited at the premier livestock events in the state of Michigan.

To be eligible for either the MYLSF general scholarship or the statewide scholarship, the applicant must be a resident of Michigan and a graduating high school senior or a high school graduate continuing their education at an accredited institution in the year in which they are applying.

For the general MYLSF scholarship, the applicant must be a youth exhibitor at the Michigan State Fair, Michigan Livestock Expo or the Michigan Dairy Expo for a minimum of three calendar years prior to the year of application. For the statewide scholarship, an applicant must be a youth exhibitor at a local, county or statewide exhibition for a minimum of three years prior to the year of application.

Specific proceeds from the Michigan State Fair Youth Livestock Auction and the Michigan Livestock Expo as well as charitable donations help fund the scholarships. The fund is governed by a 10-member board comprised of volunteers from Michigan’s agricultural community, with the corpus of the fund held at the Battle Creek Community Foundation. In 2013, approximately $17,000 was deposited in the Michigan Education Saving Plans for youth exhibitors that compete in judging and showmanship events at the Michigan Livestock Expo on the Michigan State University campus.

The 2013 MYLSF $1,500 general scholarship winners were: Kelly Raterink of Zeeland; Bryant Chapman of South Rockwood; Jake Sloan of Quincy; Kayla Mitchell of Burr Oak and Joshua Kelpinski of Owosso. The MYLSF $1,000 scholarships were awarded to Justin Ruggles of Kingston and Seth Gibson of Union City. The statewide $1,000 scholarship was awarded to Bethany Myers of Montgomery; and the $500 statewide scholarship was awarded to Michaela Marks of Stephenson.

The 2013 Quality of Life, comprised of the Michigan departments of Agriculture and Rural Development, Environmental Quality and Natural Resources, the $500 Gene Thompson Scholarship winners were: Trevor Adams of Gaylord; Gregg Davis of Leslie; Kyle Helwig of Lake Leelanau; Joshua Kelpinski of Owosso; Ryan Knox of Sand Creek; Russell Lipe of Bath; Duane London of Bay City; Abby Maynard of Holt and Erin Wenk of Williamston.

Applications and qualification requirements for the MYLSF and the statewide scholarship can be obtained at www.michigan.gov/mda-mylsf. Applications must be postmarked no later than May 31, 2014. If you have any questions, please contact Jeff Haarer, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development producer security section Manager, at 517-284-5642 or Ernie Birchmeier, Michigan Farm Bureau’s livestock & dairy specialist, at 517-3237000.

Continued from page 6 quarts have reduced vet costs of about $9.74.

Pooling colostrum is not a recommended practice as it is a good way to transmit diseases such as Johne’s and BLV from infected cows to uninfected calves.

Navel Dipping A common procedure often overlooked on many dairies is the dipping of the navel in an antiseptic solution. The navel leads to many of the calf’s important organs and, once detached, is exposed to numerous bacteria in the calving environment, on tools or equipment and from other calves.

The longer the navel goes before being dipped, the higher chance of it causing illness or even death. Studies have shown that calves with nondipped navels have an 18 percent death rate, compared to 7 percent for calves with dipped navels. [3] To effectively dip the navel, 7 percent tincture iodine is recommended. It will not only disinfect, but help the

Record Keeping & Identification Often we try to commit too much to memory. Very few individuals have total recall, and decisions made with limited or inaccurate information can be very costly. A good record keeping system is vital to ensure records provide useful information.

The program should be easily updated, easily understood, easily summarized and current.

A permanent calf record should begin the day the calf is born. The best time to identify an animal is at birth. Record birth date, weight, height, birthing difficulty, colostrum

The link between the quality of care a calf receives and its ability to become a viable part of the milking herd later in life is what has driven MMPA to become more involved with the calf raising portion of your dairy operation. There are many pieces to a quality calf care program, from housing and ventilation to advanced feeding programs to SOPs for employees that provide consistent care.

These management practices, and many more, begin to piece together the puzzle of a quality calf care program.

[1] Can Vet J., 1986, 50:314; [2] Wells et al,. 1996, 2007; [3] S. Leadley, Attica ºVeterinary Associates and P. Sojda, Offhaus Farms, Calving Ease – Navels & Newborns, May 2004

MMPA Advisory Committee 517-398-0629 517-547-3231 517-639-4182 517-524-6015

Donald Bever, Delton Michael Oesch, Middlebury, IN Danny Ransler, Gobles Richard Thomas, Middlebury, IN

269-671-5050 574-825-2454

District Two

District Five

At-Large

Bruce Benthem, McBain 231-825-8182 Tom Jeppesen, Stanton 989-762-5399 Bill Jernstadt, Big Rapids 231-796-4650 Mike Rasmussen, Edmore 989-762-5380

Bill Blumerich, Berlin 810-395-2926 Pat Bolday, Emmett 810-395-7139 Mark Crandall, 269-660-2229 Battle Creek James Droscha, Charlotte 517-543-5577 Scott Lamb, Jeddo 810-327-6135 David Lott, Mason 517-676-4593 Chuck White, Fowlerville 517-521-3564 Tom Wing, Bellevue 269-660-0498

District Six

269-628-4218 574-825-5198

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

District Four Marvin Rubingh, Ellsworth 231-588-6084 Dave Folkersma, Rudyard 906-478-3023 Corby Werth, Alpena 989-379-3772 Jeremy Werth, Alpena 989-464-4022

Aaron Gasper, Lowell Jamie Meyer, Ionia David Reed, Owosso Kris Wardin, St Johns

616-897-2747 989-587-6732 989-723-8635 989-640-9420

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

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

District Eight Mike Bender, Croswell Tim Kubacki, Sebewaing Dale Phillips, Marlette Steve Schulte, Harbor Beach

810-679-4782 989-883-3249 989-635-7917 989-479-9339

May 2014

Carlton Evans, Litchfield Perry Cisco, Hudson Glenn Preston, Quincy Art Riske, Hanover

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

Detecting navel infections and illness is important to monitoring the effectiveness of your navel dipping protocol. If not noted or left untreated, these instances can lead to more severe issues or loss of calves.

quality and amount. These and other records can be used to determine if standard production and performance goals such as mortality rate, growth rate, weaning age, etc. are being met.

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navel dry up more quickly, speeding up the healing process. Make sure to achieve full coverage of the navel, applying the dip from a clean cup or administering device.

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LEGISLATIVE WATCH

NMPF Asks FDA to Rewrite Draft Animal Feed Regulation The National Milk Producers Federation has asked the Food and Drug Administration to rewrite a draft livestock feed regulation, saying the agency went beyond the intent of Congress by seeking to impose requirements that will not make animal feed safer.

In comments sent to the agency, NMPF asked FDA to substantially revise the regulation and requested the agency establish a new round of comments from industry and the public. “FDA has the authority to re-propose the regulation and still comply with (a) court-ordered deadline to publish a final rule by August 30, 2015,” NMPF said.

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NMPF made the request in two sets of comments, one focused on dairy plant safety and the other addressing animal feed.

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The draft regulations were issued under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), which gave the FDA broad new authority to regulate food. NMPF said it supports efforts to implement the 2010 law, but believes the draft animal feed regulation goes too far, particularly because it would make it harder to use brewers’ grain as animal feed, a practice in use for hundreds of years.

Among other things, NMPF, the Washington voice of more than 32,000 dairy producers, said the draft regulation incorrectly

imposes safety standards on animal feed that are similar to those for human food. The proposed regulation incorrectly establishes manufacturing standards that equate animal feed and human food. “The innate hygienic standards of humans exceed the hygienic standards of livestock,” the organization said. It asked FDA to propose manufacturing standards specific to animal feed.

The proposed regulation also unnecessarily regulates byproducts from brewing when they are used in animal feed, even though there is no public health risk associated with these products.

This “will result in unnecessary increased costs to dairy producers,” NMPF said.

Telling the Farm Story on the Big Screen: Farmland the Movie When it comes to documentaries, “Farmland: The Movie” breaks the mold. Instead of old scholars droning on about some historical event and cheesy reenactments with dramatic background music, this documentary offers a hands-on glimpse of the struggles and tribulations experienced by six, 20-something U.S. farmers and ranchers.

The 75-minute film offers a broad picture of today’s agricultural industry, covering a Georgia poultry farmer, Texas cattle rancher, Nebraska corn and soybean farmer, large-scale California organic farmer, Pennsylvania Community Support Agriculture vegetable farmer and Minnesota hog farmer. The operations range from first to sixth generation farms and span anywhere from 18 to 2,000 acres.

While the film’s cast is composed of farmers, the intended audience is the 98 percent of the U.S. population that lives off-farm. From animal care to environmental stewardship, the farmer cast candidly explains the care and passion they use with their animals and land. It tugs not just at the mind, but at the heartstrings addressing the topics of weather stress, long hours, family, love and loss through the eyes of hardworking, young farmers.

Directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker James Moll, a limited release of “Farmland: The Movie” is currently taking place in 25 markets nationwide.

Michigan was home to two showings; a private release in Grand Rapids on April 15 and public showings in Detroit and Birch Run beginning on May 1.

Additional showings will be posted on the Farmland web page at www.farmlandfilm.com or on their Facebook page.

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By Alex Schnabelrauch

A Cinderella Story: From High PI Count Notices to Quality Award Winner

The Jahfetsons were named MMPA’s 2013 Quality Award Winner at the State Annual Delegate Meeting on March 20. Pictured above (left to right) are Jason, Elaine, Jacob, David and Jackie Jahfetson.

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rossing our fingers as 13-year-old Bobby Fischer battled his championtouting competitor during chess’s “Game of the Century.” Holding our breath as the seconds ticked away and a group of U.S. amateur hockey players defeated the dominant Russian Olympic team. Cheering along with our televisions as Rocky Balboa ran up those steps, “Eye of the Tiger” playing in the background.

There’s nothing Americans like more than an underdog. It’s human nature, plain and simple. We love cheering for “the little guy” and hope for upsets.

But back in 1982, when Jacob and Elaine Jahfetson purchased their Baraga dairy farm from Elaine’s parents, similar odds were stacked against the small dairy in the northwest corner of the Upper Peninsula (U.P.). It was going to take far more than a few upsets to catapult the then 17-head herd from the occasional high PI count notice to statewide quality role model.

“We weren’t always achieving the numbers we are now. We weren’t focused on quality until we received those high count notices in the mail, and it was a wake-up call,” Elaine explains.

Three decades and 12 straight years of MMPA quality awards later, the Jahfetsons have written an epic underdog tale of their own, proving anyone can achieve high quality milk.

Quality Milk, Quality Taste, Quality Price While not boasting record-breaking milk quality back in the early 1980s, the Jahfetsons still took pride is shipping a safe, healthy product.

However, because of a lack of quality standards from the farm’s milk marketing cooperative, Copper Country Dairy Co-op, the family was forced to make a tough decision.

“After three missed milk checks,

then MMPA Member Representative Terry Philibeck convinced us to join MMPA, an association which had never failed to deliver a milk check. Copper Country Dairy didn’t have quality standards; we focus on quality today because we still remember how bad we got burned back in 1985,” Jacob says.

After switching to MMPA in 1985, the Jahfetsons adopted a simple philosophy: quality milk is good tasting milk. Good tasting milk is easier to sell.

prevent over- and under-milking.

Currently, every fresh cow’s milk is tested using the California Mastitis Test (CMT) paddle after accurate results can be attained (the third or fourth milking.) In addition, dry cows are treated to prevent infections during dry-off.

“If we didn’t vigilantly track the results of our changes, we never

would have gotten better. Because we don’t have Internet service, I still call the MMPA Novi lab once a week to get our SCCs,” Elaine affirms.

Thanks to DHI records, whole herd tests, individual cow “specials” and culturing, the Jahfetsons were slowly but surely able to weed out the problem cows in their herd. Once the Continued on page 14

Thanks to Elaine’s background as a nurse, she understood the science behind infection spread and mastitis and took the lead on revamping the farm’s milk quality goals and procedures. The playpen became a permanent fixture in the corner of the barn so she could persistently monitor herd health and performance while raising the couple’s seven children.

At first, the Jahfestons’ herd was plagued with poor teat placement and udder attachment. Stepped-on teats and mastitis infections were common even in the small herd.

After struggling to “fix” the chronic problem cows, the family began culling the biggest count culprits.

With help from their NorthStar Select Sires Evaluator Dale Sabo in the early 1990s, they have been able to select more desirable genetic pairings for the cows who remain, correcting teat placement, udder attachment and feet and leg issues.

A consistent udder prep and milking routine was refined and tested to

Tips from MMPA’s 2013 Quality Award Winner • Prevention is Paramount – It’s easier to anticipate and prevent mastitis problems on the farm than it is to cure them.

• Make Sure Hooves Touch Clean Bedding – Hooves touch and therefore transfer bacteria to the teats and udder when cows lay down.

Clean hooves mean cleaner teats.

• Milk Higher Count Cows Last – Prevent the transfer of infection to other cows by studying the linear DHI scores and changing milking order to milk from lowest to highest counts.

• Turn Off the Vacuum Before Unit Removal – Prevent added stress to the teat and teat end by turning off the vacuum before removing the claw.

• Don’t Wait to Treat – If a quarter is egg yolk consistency when CMT paddled, it should be treated today!

• Cull Problem Cows – Don’t wait to get rid of the chronic problems in your herd. You’re just wasting time and money.

• Never Stop Learning – No matter how large or small of an SCC, every farm can continue to improve and make little changes to improve their routine. Read dairy publications and consult with your veterinarian and MMPA member representative.

May 2014

“They called me the sample lady,” Elaine smiles. “I constantly sent samples and called down to the MMPA lab to check on our progress.”

Jacob and Elaine have focused on improving their herd’s milk quality since receiving high PI count notices in the mid-1980s. Their March average SCC was an impressive 21,000 cells/mL.

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Redefining Vigilance But milk quality on the Jahfetsons’ Hillside Acres didn’t happen overnight.

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Continued from page 13 herd’s chronic issues were resolved, maintaining high milk quality became less daunting and a matter of prevention.

As of our print deadline, the family has not treated a cow since August and boasted a 21,000 cells/mL average herd SCC in March. The herd has been closed since 2001.

Issues of Scale Currently milking 22 cows, caring for three dry cows and 17 replacements and stewarding 176 acres (160 of which is used to grow alfalfa, clover, barley, oats and some corn for green chop) many consider Hillside Acres a small dairy farm. But smaller doesn’t always mean easier.

“You can’t afford to be sloppy when you’re small. One quarter from one cow can knock us out of gold quality award contention for the year,” Elaine elaborates. “Sure, when you’re smaller you have more time.

But even if you’re big, teat ends have to be clean. Milking is when most infections occur, and bacteria on the teat ends can’t go anywhere but up into the quarters.”

Cows are called by name, bedded with straw, turned out to pasture in the summer and housed in a stanchion barn built in 1931. The farm uses three Surge pipeline milkers to fulfill the operation’s twoa-day milking schedule.

“We are diehards when it comes to quality. It’s nice to have a healthy herd now, and our quality premiums have helped support our family even with a smaller herd. You might think we’re old fashioned, but we didn’t want to get bigger. We’ve proved that you don’t always have to get bigger to survive,” Jacob affirms.

The Challenges of Dairying U.P. North Located just two miles from Lake Superior, the northwest area of Michigan’s U.P. isn’t an easy environment for the few dairy farmers who still call the area home.

“It’s tough to get parts. I’m ordering things from Wisconsin on most occasions,” Jacob relays. “We have two local large animal vets and only one who handles emergency situations. Since our milking system serviceman is 150 miles away, we’ve learned to troubleshoot and fix things on our own.”

Luckily, the family has had plenty of help. Elaine’s father, Albert Koski, was a huge help to the couple starting off and was still baling hay on the farm until he was 90 years old.

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The Jahfetsons milk 22 cows just three miles from Lake Superior, in the northwest corner of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

Jacob admits the family is “diehard” when it comes to milk quality and believes it’s every dairy farmer’s responsibility to ship a high-quality product.

Throughout the Jahfetsons’ dairy career, their seven children – Sara, Wendy, Karen, Jason, David, Tricia and Jackie – have all assisted with

chores and milking. Jason and David still work on the farm, Jackie helps milk during her summers off from high school, Wendy is the herd’s DHI technician and Karen is the herdswoman for another local farmer.

Not to mention, the Jahfetsons’ 13 grandchildren can frequently be found milling around the farm, petting the calves and barn cats.

Although sustaining a family with 22 cows isn’t easy and dairying in the most northern parts of the state has its challenges, the Jahfetsons’ love for dairy has helped them through the ups and downs of tumultuous milk prices. Their commitment to quality makes them a role model for farms of all sizes and locations.

Elaine concludes, “I was screaming in the house when I opened the letter saying we had won this award! I was so surprised and never thought this was possible for our farm. But I do believe every dairy farmer should strive for quality. Not only does it add money to your milk check, it improves the taste and marketability of our co-op’s products. Quality is our responsibility as dairy farmers, and we all need to pass that focus on to future generations.”

Spoken like a true, humble underdog.

Learn more @ the about co-ops and MMPA/4-H Milk milk marketing...

Marketing Tour

June 25-26!

What:

MMPA/4-H Milk Marketing Tour - two days of dairy & milk marketing tours, presentations and activities

Who:

15-18-year-old (as of Jan. 1, 2014) 4-H/FFA members or other students interested in dairy or milk marketing

When:

June 25-26, 2014

Where: Novi, Mich.

Why Should I Attend?

1.

2.

3.

4.

Meet other students interested in dairy Tour a dairy processing plant Meet leaders in the Michigan dairy industry Earn the chance to attend the National 4-H Dairy Conference in Madison, Wisc.

Space is limited to the first 30 students, so register today!

>>>

Call the MMPA Member Relations Department with questions 248-474-6672.

*Students who have already participated in the MMPA/ 4-H Milk Marketing Tour are not eligible to attend.

complete this form & mail it to: Melissa Elischer, Registration Please Michigan State University, Anthony Hall, 474 S. Shaw Ln., Rm 1287H, East Lansing, MI 48824

Participant Information Name:________________________________

Registrations Due June 3

Address:_______________________ City:___________ State:___ Zip:_____ County:___________________ Phone:______________ Age:___ Gender:___

Name:________________________________ Address:_______________________ City:___________ State:___ Zip:_____ Phone:______________

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Adult Chaperone Information

May 2014

Affiliation: 4-H ____ FFA ____ Other ____

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By Alex Schnabelrauch

The Silent Thief Robbing Dairy Farmers

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t invades your feed bunks and creeps through your alleyways.

It hides on an inaccurate scale or inside worn equipment. It festers in your grain bins and lurks at the edge of your grain mixer. It is the silent thief robbing thousands of dairy farmers: feed shrink.

For every dollar the average dairy farmer spends on feed, he or she throws away 20 cents of feed shrink.

Two dimes may seem menial, but multiply 20 cents by the daily feed costs of a 50, 100, 500 or 2,000-cow dairy, and that loss could be the difference between operating in the black or in the red.

Feed shrink is easy to shrug off as a hazard of the profession. It’s hard to measure so many farmers don’t think twice about adding it to their list of management worries. But a few intentional changes could add tens of thousands of dollars to your annual bottom line.

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May 2014

Michigan State University (MSU) Dairy Extension Educators Stan Moore and Phil Durst and MSU Meadows Endowed Chair Dr. Dave Beede offered Great Lakes Regional Dairy Conference attendees insight on the largest feed shrink culprits while providing advice on tangible ways to reduce shrink on dairies.

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1. Watch for Shrink as Crops Travel from the Field to Storage “Feed shrink can begin before feed even arrives at your storage facilities.

Think of how much of the crop you leave in the field, from little spills and wind carry. It’s essential to regularly check and evaluate

the effectiveness of equipment to ensure feed doesn’t get lost in the harvesting system itself.

Not to mention, farmers can prevent feed losses by harvesting at the right moisture levels to ensure optimal packing, fermentation and digestibility,” Moore stated.

2. Delivery and Storage Can Adversely Affect Your Bottom Line “Feed storage is your bank account,” Durst said. “Yet sometimes Mike Noll opens a pile of second cutting haylage at his bunk silo in Croswell. Feed storage and location are important factors contributing producers don’t to feed shrink and must be frequently monitored to ensure efficiency. protect that feed very well. We need tires or gravel bags, doubling-up to ensure good fermentation takes at the edges, to prevent oxygen place and preserved silage is kept from coming into contact with feed. from a degradation of quality.”

Fix any rips or holes in the cover immediately.

In terms of storage, correct feed packing is crucial to reducing the 3. Don’t Ignore Transportation to availability of oxygen for spoilage the Mixing Area and Feed Bunk organisms. By increasing the weight It may be tempting to take down applied during packing or slowing excess feed with the facer and roll down the process, density goals back large swatches of plastic. But can be achieved, therefore reducing by only taking down one day’s worth spoilage. of feed and rolling back only enough plastic to expose three day’s worth Adding a quality cover with low of forage, farmers can drastically oxygen transfer rates quickly reduce heating and spoilage. after packing can make a world of difference when it comes to organic Facility set-up is paramount as feeds matter losses and feed quality. stored greater than 250 feet from Weigh down the cover with touching the TMR mixing station are more

“Feed shrink is defined as the difference between feed harvested or purchased and the feed cows actually consume. Therefore, it’s important to deliver feed in the right proportions at the right times to the right groups of cows to reduce shrink,” Durst relayed.

“Delivering a single diet to multiple pens can result in over-mixing for the group that gets fed second from the same batch. That may change cow performance on the ration.”

4. Mixing Can Rack Up a Hefty Price Tag “Your loading sequence does matter and impacts the homogeneity of your feed mix as the particle size and shape, density, water content, static charge and adhesiveness of each ingredient influence mixing.

Adding longer particle material first allows it to be broken up finer and more quickly than if it was added last. Lighter and large particle-sized feedstuffs tend to move upward during mixing while the smaller, more dense particles gravitate downward,” Beede affirmed.

Yet again, scale calibration plays a role in the feed efficiency of this critical control point. Off-balance

scales can result in a shortage or overage of feed ingredients or distort the nutritional profile of the ration.

“When we traveled across the state giving feed shrink presentations, only one farmer could honestly respond that he had calibrated his scales in the past year. Inaccurate weights reported by delivery truck and mixer wagon scales are costing farmers money! This inaccuracy means farmers are paying for feed that’s either inefficiently fed in skewed portions or never actually gets unloaded in the first place,” Beede said.

Studies show feeding twice per day and pushing feed up each half hour for the first two hours after feeding can improve the amount of milk produced per cow. Producers looking to reduce shrink must ensure consistent feed quality and quantity along the feed bunk, managing outside variables to prevent inefficiencies.

Equipment is key as augers in poor condition can create large variation in fiber concentration from beginning to end. Overloading mixers can result in lost feed and inconsistent feed makeup at the bunk.

Greg Bethard of G & R Dairy Consulting has said, “If feed shrink were itemized, it would be the third or fourth highest cost on the average dairy.” Controlling this cost, from field to bunk, is critical for every dairy producer.

5. Feed Bunk Activity Can Make or Break Your Shrink Percentage Feed delivery, overcrowding, cow toss, weather loss, wildlife and cow eliminated feeds all threaten full feed optimization at the bunk, making it an especially difficult to manage critical control point.

Durst concludes, “Evaluate your feed system and look at potential losses as money to be saved. It’s worth a good look.”

May 2014

likely to be adversely exposed to the environment and prone to shrink during transportation. Dropping silage near the mixing area and using more batch mixes can help reduce the potential for feed loss.

Commodities are typically high-priced feed ingredients.

Open commodity sheds often encounter significant losses from wind and during transfer to the mixer. Commodity bins can be an economical investment based on the reduction of losses.

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Nate Baker loads a TMR mixer on his family’s farm in Jonesville. Loading sequence impacts the consistency of feed mixing throughout the batch and can adversely affect feed efficiency.

Managing feed refusal is also about striking an important balance to reduce waste and yet encourage consumption. Some producers are feeding to an empty or nearly empty bunk in order to reduce that loss. However, this method of feeding, especially to overcrowded pens, will lead to more competitive interactions between cows and create greater variability in production and health of animals within the pen.

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MMPA Young Cooperators Conference Achieving Excellence is Easy as “ABC”

“

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May 2014

Dairies are battleships, not Lamborghinis,” Dr. Gordie Jones, veterinarian and partner of Central Sands Dairy in Wisconsin, reminded the over 80 attendees of the MMPA Young Cooperators (YC) Conference on April 4 in Grand Rapids.

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of the limiting factors to excellence in dairy production –air quality and ventilation, bunk management and cow comfort – providing hands-on tips for attendees.

Air Quality and Ventilation While many Michiganders are more than eager for consistent 75-degree temperatures, Dr. Jones explained a cow’s ideal temperature is a balmy 40 degrees.

(However, her comfort level ranges from 0 degrees to 70 degrees.)

“They don’t turn on a dime; it takes a while to realize the true impact of your management changes and the He agreed, it’s benefits may tempting to pull come one or down the curtains two heifer and make the barn generations more comfortable down the when the road. But temperature drops if we take in the fall. But the care of our detriments to dry cows, cows’ air quality nutrition and Dr. Gordie Jones was the 2014 MMPA Young and ventilation cow comfort, Cooperators Conference’s headlining speaker, aren’t worth many offering attendees tangible advice on improving cow the additional bottlenecks in comfort and performance on their farms. warmth. reproduction, Dr. Gordie Jones was the 2014 MMPA Young milk quality, “I tell all my young stock Wisconsin and herd health are remedied along farmer clients they have 45 days to the way.” keep their barns closed between Thanksgiving and Easter. When you One of conference’s headlining limit the number of closed-curtain speakers, Dr. Jones relayed his days, you start achieving a balance belief that well-managed herds ideal for cows and, therefore, have the potential to achieve production,” Dr. Jones shared.

70,000-pound rolling herd averages in the YCs’ lifetimes. Utilizing his Bunk Management 30 years of experience in dairy Ration isn’t everything. Dr. Jones performance medicine, production explained to MMPA YC Conference consulting and nutrition and farm participants that ideal ratios and management, he broke down three mixes are only as effective as their

delivery. Herd nutrition benefits occur only if the ration is delivered consistently, efficiently and in the right amount and time.

He emphasized, “We are in a last bite business; the last one pound of dry matter consumed produces 2 ½ pounds of milk. A cow’s last bite is the most profitable, so our persistent goal is to get her to take one more bite.”

To increase consumption, Dr. Jones advised YCs to manage their herds’ social groups, pay attention to feed timing, feed for refusals and pushup feed on multiple occasions to keep cows at the bunk and entice them to take another bite.

“A cow can recognize 100 other cows. Therefore a group of 100 cows should have two waterers to prevent boss cows from boxing-out others lower in the hierarchy. But once you increase the group to 120 cows, you have created two social orders and will need four waterers,” he explained. “When social groups grow beyond 250 or 300 head, there is no social order.”

He added that 50 percent of average dry matter intake must be delivered to the feed bunk by the time cows return from their morning milking to maximize milk output.

Cow Comfort When it comes to cow comfort, Dr. Jones operates with a simple fact in mind: if a cow lies down for an additional hour throughout the day, it equates to 3.7 pounds of added production. He commented, “Cows don’t normally just stand around. They should do three things

He wrapped up his presentation, stressing to YCs, “We are all here today because we love cows. As farmers, we’ve made a covenant to

care for the animals on our farms.

The best way we can maximize that care and give each cow her best life and best chance to be profitable is by remembering our ABCs – air quality and ventilation, bunk management and cow comfort.”

Pictured above: Bottom left: The YC Conference Planning Committee poses for a quick picture after the tailgate party.

Pictured (left to right) are Chriss and Jeff Carmichael, Jordan and Mike Noll and Carla and Kris Wardin. (Not pictured: Josh and Lesley Lott.) Bottom right: MMPA President Ken Nobis explains the details of the dairy safety net passed as part of the 2014 Farm Bill. Middle left: MMPA General Manager Clay Galarneau answers questions during the conference panel discussion with UDIM CEO Sharon Toth. Middle center: Two YCs get to know each other while filling out dairy farm bingo cards. Middle right: 2013 MMPA OYDC Kris and Carla Wardin kick-off the program. Top center: YC Conference attendee Randy Berens (right) asks host Nate Elzinga (left) about his automatic calf feeders during a tour of the Elzinga’s operation in Zeeland. Top right: Jeremy and Jody Sharrard take notes while listening to speakers during the 2014 MMPA YC Conference.

May 2014

To ensure cows are maximizing their rest time, he shared some of the biggest bottlenecks preventing cow

comfort in freestall barns – lack of cushion, neck rail placement, lunge space limitations and lack of fresh air and vision.

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throughout the day. Stand to eat and drink. Stand to milk. And lay down.

Cows should spend four hours or less a day away from food, water and beds.”

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UDIM Rebranding Reflects Diversity and Versatility of Dairy Products

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ilk means more. More than just good taste and great nutrition.

The dairy industry has known that for a long time, but have consumers? It always helps to remind them.

Using a direct approach, United Dairy Industry of Michigan (UDIM) decided to re-brand its milk promotional efforts in a way that conveys more purposefully the meaning of dairy. Not just to individuals, but to families, groups and communities - those who derive benefit physically, socially and economically from the work of dairy farmers.

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May 2014

On April 23, UDIM officially unveiled the new “Milk Means More” brand on its website. It’s part of a continuing commitment to raising awareness of the benefits of dairy products among multiple generations of Michigan residents.

The rebranding reflects both the versatility of dairy products and the diversity of the people who consume them.

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UDIM’s rebranding is the capstone piece of recent consolidation of its four specialty websites, Michigan Dairy News Bureau, Choose Chocolate Milk, Milk is

Local and UDIM.org. The websites have been consolidated into one, unified information center at MilkMeansMore.org.

UDIM has also integrated its two blogs. The dairy farmingbased “Day on the Farm” and the nutrition-themed “Dairy Dish” were combined and are now featured at MilkMeansMore.org “We recognized simpler would be better and more consumer-friendly,” said UDIM CEO Sharon Toth. “We decided to roll all of our web assets, from dairy nutrition to promotion and consumer confidence information, into one website address, MilkMeansMore.org. It will be easier for us to direct people to the ‘Milk Means More’ themed site than to separate entities that address the many facets of dairy.”

More importantly, the new “Milk Means More” tagline for UDIM increases consumer recognition of Michigan dairy and serves as an ongoing proclamation of its breadth and depth. “Milk Means More” will allow for flexibility in the number of promotional campaigns can be launched.

“I’ve been working for UDIM for over 25 years and know firsthand that most people struggle with

remembering our name. It comes out anything from ‘Dairy Industry Council’ to ‘United Dairy Association,’ but never the same thing twice. I’ve heard it all,” Toth said. “Summarizing it with the catchy ‘Milk Means More’ tagline will make who we are and what we do on behalf of Michigan’s dairy farmers more memorable.”

As new promotional materials are developed and ordered, a new, blue milk drop will begin appearing, with a distinctive, cursive “Milk Means More” written across it.

What won’t be changing is UDIM’s commitment to telling the story of dairy in ways that resonate with consumers and increase their awareness of taste, quality, safety and nutrition, which ultimately translate to increased demand for and sale of dairy products.

Indiana Dairy Producers Summer Tour Set for June 4-5

The cost of attending for IDP member farms is $125 for the first farm member and $75 for any subsequent members. All students can attend for $75.

(just west of Akron) for $99.99. This rate is guaranteed through May 5.

To make reservations, call 330-3367692 and ask for the Indiana Dairy rate.

This price includes transportation, lunch and dinner on June 4.

Participants must make their own lodging reservations. A block of rooms has been reserved at Comfort Inn and Suites in Wadsworth, Ohio

Download a brochure with more information at http://bit. ly/1iZPEGN.

May 2014

First stop in Ohio will be Select Sires’ headquarters in Plain City.

A bull parade is planned followed by an opportunity to learn from Gary Conklin, a dairy farmer who has dealt with the aftermath of an undercover video. He will be sharing the difficult and valuable lessons he learned through the ordeal.

The group also plans to visit Miley Holsteins in West Salem and Pine Tree Dairy in Rittman and will also stop at Eastern Laboratory Services.

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xciting plans are underway for the Indiana Dairy Producer’s (IDP) summer tour to Ohio!

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By Dr. Ted Ferris, MSU Department of Animal Science Nancy Thelen and Ashley Kuschel, MSU Extension

Breakfast on the Farm Participants Shared Learning, Purchased more Dairy Products

B

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May 2014

reakfast on the Farm (BOTF) has attracted over 50,000 participants since the initial event was organized in 2009 by MSU Extension and Clinton County Farm Bureau. Exit surveys indicate over 90 percent of participants leave BOTF events held on dairy farms with positive impressions about modern dairy farming and increased trust in milk as a safe food and in farmers as a source of information about food production.

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visit to a BOTF event held at dairy farms in 2012.

Topics reported to have been discussed by participants surveyed following BOTF events were: • A positive impression about modern dairy farms (80 percent) • Farmers using new technology (63 percent) • Farmers doing a good job caring for their animals (61 percent)

• Farmers caring for the environment (29 percent) • Safeguards for handling milk before it leaves the farm (46 percent) • A minority of participants (7 percent) reported they left a BOTF event with concerns.

The BOTF online survey of 228 A recent on-line survey shows more • Farmers providing good households represents 4 percent of housing for dairy animals (51 than 88 percent of participants told the households attending BOTFs in percent) others they should attend a BOTF event.

Table 1. Number of individuals with whom BOTF participants shared their farm tour experience.

A total of 244 households responded to the email survey Online Survey 2012 which asked if and to whom (Individuals) Estimates participants had talked about Extended their BOTF experience. Of from that number, 228 specified Category of people Survey No. % the category of people with Sample whom they had talked: 23 1,133 23% 28,079 Family members percent had talked with family members; 24 percent 1,178 24% 29,207 Friends with friends; 13 percent with Friends on social media (that are 650 13% 16,104 friends on social media; 7 not included in friends) percent with others on social Other parents (that are not media; 10 percent with other 477 10% 11,814 included in friends) parents; 14 percent with co-workers; and 10 percent Co-workers (that are not included 670 14% 16,612 with other individuals. The in friends) email survey represents a 56 Individuals on social media (that percent response rate from 336 7% 8,331 are not included in friends) 438 households who provided email addresses during their 477 10% 11,814 Other individuals

TOTAL

4,919

121,961

2012. Table 1 lists the results of extending this sample to all 5,653 BOTF households.

The 2012 participants are estimated to have shared their BOTF experience with nearly 122,000 individuals (Table 1).

Table 2. Extrapolated annual dollar value of increased consumption based upon survey sample.

Product

Survey Participants Who Increased Consumption (%)

Milk (gal) Cheese (lbs) Yogurt (6-8 oz)

Average Weekly Increase per Unit Annual Household Value ($) Value ($)

19.3

0.2

$3.00

$179,807

18.9

0.2

$3.00

$176,193

18.9

0.33

$0.50

$48,340

TOTAL

$404,340

concerned by factors that affect them and their families directly, such as milk safety.

Invite your friends and non-farm neighbors to a 2014 Breakfast on the Farm near you!

July 19 – Crandall Dairy Farms LLC, Battle Creek, Mich.

August 16 – De Grins Oer Dairy Farm, Blanchard, Mich.

September 6 – Uphaus Farms, Manchester, Mich.

May 2014

Excitement Continues Consumers want to know farmers will do the right thing. They greatly appreciate the opportunity Breakfast on the Farm provides to tour modern farms. Since farm tours provide transparency, they build trust. As participants are excited about what they have learned, they return home and share their experience with family, friends and others. In addition, their improved trust or understanding in how milk is produced and handled apparently results in increases in dairy product purchases as consumers are most

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Participants Purchased more Dairy Products Figure 1 shows the distribution of the 47 households (19 percent of 244) that reported increased purchases of at least one of three dairy products as a result of attending a Breakfast on the Farm event.

The largest number of households increased purchases by one gallon of milk, .5 pounds of cheese and 2.5 units of yogurt per week. These increases translate to average household increases per week of 0.2 gallons of milk, 0.2 lbs. of cheese and 0.33 units of yogurt for all households that attended BOTF. Extending these weekly increases to the estimated 5,653 households, the annual value for milk, cheese and yogurt total $404,340 in additional retail sales for households attending BOTF in 2012 (Table 2).

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MERCHANDISE

Fly Control

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

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QuikStrike strips are effective for six to eight weeks and are helpful in controlling flies in calf raising areas, milking barns and feed storages. QuikStrike is available in a box containing two strips per package.

t is May, and we are hoping the long, cold winter is finally behind us. Of course as the temperatures increase, so do the flies.

Fly population control is very important on dairy operations during warm weather. Minimizing disease transmission to livestock and humans and preventing product contamination are extra challenges during fly season.

Stock #: 5503

Member price: $18.75/pkg.

MMPA Merchandise also stocks Prozap LD-44Z farm insect fogger. The active ingredients in Prozap LD-44Z, Pyrethrins and Piperonyl Butoxide, repel and kill a host of insects.

MMPA Merchandise stocks two products members can purchase to use as tools in their fly management program: QuikStrike and Prozap LD-44Z.

Prozap LD-44Z contains no CFC’s and may be used in milkrooms and livestock housing areas, if used according to label directions. Prozap LD-44Z is available in a 20-oz. aerosol can.

QuikStrike strips are a ready-to-use, self-contained product, designed to be placed in fly foraging areas. The active ingredient, Nithiazine, kills flies seconds after they feed on Quikstrike. The flies are attracted to the sugar base matrix and a strong fly pheromone attractant.

Stock #: 5501

Member price: $10.81/can.

QuikStrike is effective only after flies ingest the active ingredient Nithiazine. Therefore, it needs to be placed in areas where flies actively feed. The best placement is two to four feet above ground level in an area protected from children, animals, direct sunlight, wind and rain.

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

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May 2014

Valero Meal

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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!

Order Your MMPA Merchandise through your milk hauler or call: Supervisor: Duane Farmer 989-681-2334 Fax: 989-681-3988 Toll Free: 877-367-6455 Orders (Novi) 800-572-5824 then dial 2

50,000 or below 51,000-75,000 76,000-100,000 101,000-125,000 126,000-150,000 151,000-175,000 176,000-200,000 201,000-225,000 226,000-250,000 251,000-300,000 301,000-400,000 401,000-500,000 501,000-600,000 601,000 and greater

+55¢/cwt. +50¢/cwt. +45¢/cwt. +40¢/cwt. +35¢/cwt. +30¢/cwt. +25¢/cwt. +20¢/cwt. +15¢/cwt. +00¢/cwt.

- 30¢/cwt.

-$1.00/cwt.

-$1.50/cwt.

-$2.00/cwt.

A payment of 5¢/cwt. will be added for each of the following, if the count is equal to or below:

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

• 10,000 Raw Bacteria Count • 20,000 Pre-Incubated (PI) Count

To qualify for MMPA volume premiums there must be:

There will be a deduction of 10¢/cwt. for:

• No abnormal freeze points during the month • An average somatic cell count of 750,000 or less

• Greater than 100,000 Raw Bacteria Count

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.

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 $12 • Bacteriology Cultures $13 – 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 • Milk Pregnancy ELISA

$40 $ 6 $40 $ 6 $10 $ 6 $10 $4.50

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

Chemical, Sanitizer & 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 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

May 2014

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:

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MMPA Quality Premium Program

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FREELINERS

Call 1-800-572-5824 ext. 202 to place your ad or email to: Muszynski@mimilk.com or fax 248-426-3412.

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.

Registered Holstein breeding bulls, all AI sired from top bulls, b&w, red, red carrier and some polled, high production, low SCC herd. Bulls

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.

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May 2014

• 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.

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

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

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

are priced to sell. Ver Hage Holsteins, 269-673-4886 or 269-217-6076, ask for Tim. www.verhageholsteins.com.

600 gal. Delaval bulk tank model DRB. $600 or best offer. 810-4444383.

Cows & Heifers

Double 6 step-up parlor with 3-in. and 2-in. wash line. Twelve Delaval milk master take-offs and meters.

Call Steve at 616-723-3340.

Three 2-yr. old beef heifers due in June, $1,850 each. 810-300-8654.

Bred Holstein heifers. 517-6480588.

Equipment Knight 1140 box spreader excellent shape, $14,500. Unverferth 4 shank zone builder, $4,500. New Idea 6-ft. snow blower, $700. 810-531-4619.

62LB New Holland loader with 96in. bucket. 810-724-8825.

2008 JD Discbine 13-ft. Hyd Tilt, center pivot, $18,500. 2013 Kuhn Knight 2044 Hyd Push manure spreader, horizontal beaters, like new, $22,500. 1976 JD 8630 4WD tractor, 50 series engine, 275 hp, PTO, 3 pt., good rubber, $16,500. 15 poly calf hutches, $175 each. 989-2392607.

JD 3950 chopper, good condition, housed inside, $2,500. Call 989-5932276.

New Holland 570 square baler, excellent condition, $8,250 or best offer. VanDale 16-ft. Magnum silo unloader, excellent condition, $800 or best offer. Call 989-224-2615 or 517-204-0888.

Dairy Equipment Double 8 herringbone parlor, 2000V automatic take offs, Boumatic Airstar variable speed, Step saver crowd gate, complete or part out.

Contact Nick at 517-897-4155 Caseville, Mich.

Delaval 3-in. receiver with smooth operator variable speed milk pump, 150-ft. of 3-in. milk line, $3,500 or best offer. 517-719-5894.

2-in. Delaval pipeline milking system complete with 240-ft. of line with 3-in. vacuum. Electronic surge pulsation 1 yr. old. 6 units with a Delaval vacuum pump and a Delaval heat exchanger, like new. 616-8364093.

1 Sunset bulk tank, 2 lid, 415-gal.

Mc-415px. Sn. 19mc267. $1,400. 517317-3040.

Misc.

1st, 2nd & 3rd cutting balage and dry hay, round bales. Also, round bales of straw. 810-531-4619.

1st cutting haylage. 989-640-3370.

Corn silage. Also, 1st cut hay & straw net-wrapped round bales. 231-2508592. Delivery available.

Farm For Sale 160 acres, 115 tillable, 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 5 barns w/lagoon, Alpena County. 989-356-2756.

CLASSIFIEDS

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

Mail ads to: Classified Ads, Michigan Milk Messenger, PO BOX 8002, Novi, MI 48376-8002. Email to Muszynski@mimilk.com or fax 248-426-3412. Ads must be received by the 10th of the month before the month of desired publication. Send check or money order for $20 for up to 6 lines with your order. MMPA neither sponsors nor endorses products or services advertised in the Messenger.

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

517-647-7381.

DAVIDSON CEMENT GROOVING, INC: NO water needed. Wider, rougher grooves for better traction. We also offer texturing for your previously grooved floors. 3 operators will travel Michigan and other states. No interest payment terms. Est. since 1987. Call 1-800-365-3361.

CONCRETE GROOVING BY TRI-STATE SCABBLING, home of the 2” wide groove. Best traction, lowest prices.

800-554-2288. www.tristatescabbling. com

A SURE WAY TO KEEP YOUR COWS UPRIGHT! Concrete grooving/ texturing brings existing grooves back to 100% efficiency & provides high quality traction in new & old concrete, fast service. BLUE RIBBON HOOF TRIMMING, LLC. 989-635-1494.

FOR SALE: 5000-4000-3000-25002000-1500 OH MUELLER LATE MODEL BULK TANK MILK TANKS, complete, will trade. 1-800-558-0112.

CORN SILAGE, HAYLAGE & HAY. 989723-1886 or 989-277-1414 FOR SALE: (2) 7,000 TANDEM FOOD GRADE TANK TRAILERS. Set up for direct load w/chutes & spill dams. 1999 Walker 7,000 gal. 2000 Walker 7,000 gal.

Call Matt Veale @ Burch Tank 989-4009536.

WANTED TO BUY: USED BULK MILK TANKS, 200 gallons & larger, Sunset & Mueller, 1-800-558-0112.

JUNE CLOVER SEED, MICHIGAN CERTIFIED oats and spring barley seed.

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

Concrete Grooving and Texturing Call: Jeff Brisky - Owner Toll Free: 1-800-294-1202 Cell: 1-716-353-1137 Concrete Services Company

Messenger

May 2014

REGISTERED HOLSTEIN BULLS

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

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!

•

GREEN MEADOW FARMS

• FROM OUR TOP PRODUCTION COWS.

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

6400 HOLLISTER RD. ELSIE, MI 48831 PH: 989-862-4291

WWW.GREENMEADOWFARMS.COM

POLICIES

MMPA Policy on Drug Residue in Milk:

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.

MMPA Policy on Milk Quality QUALITY QUESTIONABLE 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 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. * The member will only be paid for two (2) voluntary dumps in a rolling 12 month period.

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. 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 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 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.

May 2014

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 -

MILK SHIPPED — POSITIVE DRUGS CONFIRMED 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.

Messenger

MILK ON FARM – DRUG RESIDUE SUSPECTED If a member suspects milk in the farm bulk tank contains drug residue:

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MARKET REPORT

March 2014 MARKET STATISTICS Mideast Federal Order #33 (pounds)

This Month

NATIONAL TRENDS (million pounds)

Total Class 1 Sales

528,832,470

Total Class 2 Sales

199,728,901

% Change 547,743,700 -3.45 Production California 186,058,670 +7.35

Total Class 3 Sales

492,888,523

474,740,211

+3.82

Wisconsin

2,362

2,400

-1.6

Total Class 4 Sales

226,703,398

228,184,517

-0.65

New York

1,159

1,159

+0.0

1,448,153,292

1,436,727,098

+0.80

Idaho

1,150

1,131

+1.7

36.5%

38.1%

Pennsylvania

929

926

+0.3

Texas

894

840

+6.4

Michigan

796

794

+0.3

Minnesota

780

811

-3.8

New Mexico

714

715

-0.1

Washington

560

541

+3.5

Ohio

458

481

-4.8

Indiana

333

331

+0.6

* Total U.S.

16,681

16,501

+1.1

* U.S. Y-T-D

47,766

47,201

+1.2

Total Production Class 1 Utilization

Year Ago

Mideast Federal Order #33

Current Month Total Producers 5,975 Average Daily Production per Farm 7,818 Average Protein Test 3.15% Average Butterfat Test 3.83% Average Other Solids Test 5.72% Average SCC Count (MMPA) 176,000

2014

2013 % Change

3,811

3,676

+3.7

* For 23 states

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

$4.5172

Butterfat Price/lb.

$2.0402

Other Solids Price/lb.

$0.4700

Class III Price @ 3.5%

$ 23.33

Messenger

May 2014

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

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$0.42

Uniform Price @ 3.5%

$ 23.75

SCC Adjustment/cwt./1000

$0.00113

NASS Survey Prices

Monthly Avg

Cheese /lb

2.2689

Butter /lb

1.8562

Nonfat Dry Milk /lb

2.0897

Dry Whey /lb

0.6554

MMPA

STAFF

NOVI (Headquarters) 248-474-6672 • 800-572-5824 General Manager Clay Galarneau, ext. 200

Laboratory Supervisor Patti Huttula, ext. 219

Human Resources Cindy Tilden, ext. 220

Member Services Dean Letter, ext. 213

Manufactured Product Sales Jim Dodson, ext. 229

Member Relations/Public Affairs Sheila Burkhardt, ext. 208

Milk Sales/Dispatch Carl Rasch, ext. 244

Quality Ahmandeep Dhillon, ext. 304

Finance/Controller Joseph M. Diglio, ext. 240

Credit/Insurance Cheryl Schmandt, ext. 210

Data Processing Gregory Schulkey, ext. 237 Member Communications Laura Moser, ext. 296 Alex Schnabelrauch, ext. 211

MANUFACTURING PLANTS Constantine 269-435-2835 Plant Manager Dave Davis Ovid 989-834-2221

MMPA FIELD STAFF NORTH AREA

SOUTH AREA

Frank Brazeau 920-834-4059 Oconto, Wis., cell: 906-250-0337

Krista Beeker Howe, IN 269-986-6792

Ben Chapin Blanchard 989-289-0731

David Brady 517-522-5965 Grass Lake cell: 517-937-9061

Lyndsay Earl Ludington 231-519-2455

Emily Butcher Middlebury, IN

Lindsay Green Dewitt

Andrew Rupprecht Clio 269-986-6793

269-535-0822

Angelee Kirsch Harbor Beach 231-414-4539

Elyse Martin Eaton Rapids

810-701-6460

Violet Lombard Hubbard Lake

Ed Zuchnik Three Rivers

269-967-7351

248-520-3481

Deborah Navarre Leroy 248-520-3580 Gerry Volz 989-848-5996 Fairview 989-289-9219

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

Ashley Werth 269-245-6632 Alpena

Other Services:

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

Gary Best 810-664-4984 Lapeer cell: 586-484-9279 Bulk Tank Calibration

Steven Lehman 989-875-3441 Ithaca cell: 989-330-1638 Mastitis Management

Katie Pierson Coleman 989-289-9686 Merchandise Coordinator, Energy Auditor

Christy Dinsmoore Fairgrove 248-513-7920 Mastitis Management

Merchandise—St. Louis

Duane Farmer, Supervisor

989-681-2334 Fax 989-681-3988 Toll Free 877-367-6455 Orders (Novi) 800-572-5824

then dial 2

May 2014

989-488-8159

Supervisor: Ed Zuchnik Coldwater Office 269-967-7351

Messenger

Supervisor: Gerry Volz St. Louis Office 989-289-9219

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