Milk Messenger: January/February 2024

JA N UA RY / F E B R UA RY 2 0 24

VOL. 106 / NO. 4

features

14 MMPA Quality Awards District Member Meetings in December included presentations of quality awards to 295 members for the production of outstanding quality milk over the last fiscal year. Bronze, silver and gold awards recognize members who met the established criteria for each award.

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MMPA DAIRY CARE ACADEMY: ONLINE. ON-DEMAND. UNLIMITED. Successful dairy operations rely on quality employee training to keep all animal caretakers performing best practices. MMPA’s Dairy Care Academy teaches farm employees how to provide excellent animal care through online, on-demand training available whenever a new employee is hired or a refresher is needed.

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THE GOODNESS OF DAIRY As members of the dairy community, we know that milk has a lot of goodness. Now, thanks to a creative mom searching for a better solution for fueling her kid during his sports game, milk’s goodness can reach other athletes through GoodSport, a sports drink that's created a new way to enjoy dairy and disrupted the sports drink aisle we know today. milk messenger / JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024

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contents

All MMPA members are invited to attend MMPA's 108th Annual Meeting on Wednesday, March 20 at the Suburban Collection Showplace Center in Novi, Mich.

MMPA members have access to an on-demand, online employee training platform.

Read more on page 18 about the six courses available.

05 EDITOR’S NOTE

25 OYDC FINALISTS: BRYAN AND MOLLY BENSON

06 MILK MINUTE

26 YOUR DAIRY PROMOTION AT WORK

08 QUALITY WATCH

28 FREELINERS & CLASSIFIEDS

10 NEWS & VIEWS

29 FARM SUPPLY STORE

12 LEGISLATIVE WATCH

30 STAFF

16 MMPA DISTRICT MEMBER MEETINGS RECAP

31 MEMBER MOMENT

MMPA’s Key to Success: Informed and Involved Members

What makes MMPA’s milk marketability outstanding?

IN MICHIGAN, INDIANA AND OHIO

“Sustainability is central to many conversations we have with customers during contract season. While superior milk quality and animal care gets you in the door, sustainability gets you a seat at the table. And it is MMPA’s active engagement in the sustainability space that has provided a wide range of opportunities for our members.”

SARAH MICHALEK, MMPA SUSTAINABILITY SUPERVISOR (PAGE 8)

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Milk Messenger (USPS # 345-320) is published bimonthly by the Michigan Milk Producers Association, 41310 Bridge Street, Novi, MI 48376-8002. Periodicals postage paid at Novi and additional mailing offices.

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

President and Chief Executive Officer Joe Diglio Managing Editor Sheila Burkhardt, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer Editors Emily Kittendorf, Editor & Advertising Manager

Editor’s Note

BY EMILY KITTENDORF

We’re blessed to be a part of an industry that is evolving and investing in innovations that keep dairy relevant to today’s consumers. As a dairy-farmer owned cooperative, Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA) prioritizes innovation and is one of the many reasons the cooperative has taken an equity stake in GoodSport Nutrition (pg. 10).

On the Cover Thanks to GoodSport, dairy is no longer limited to the dairy case or deli display in grocery stores, but now also in the sports drink aisle. As the first sports drink on the market made with milk permeate and reaping all the benefits that come with including dairy, GoodSport is disrupting the sports drink market as we know it today. I met with Michelle McBride, founder and CEO of GoodSport, to learn more about her search for the perfect sports drink for her kid and how her journey led to making GoodSport with dairy (pg. 20).

Inside this Issue GoodSport’s motto is that “greatness starts with goodness” and the goodness in GoodSport starts on farms like those of MMPA members, who know a thing or two about producing milk with greatness. MMPA members are committed to producing some of the highest quality milk in the nation. In December, those members were recognized (pg. 14) during District Member Meetings (pg. 6, 16).

For MMPA farms committed to strengthening their farm’s greatness in 2024, learn more about MMPA’s Dairy Care Academy to fulfill your farm’s New Year’s resolutions and to expand your employee training program (pg. 18). This member service and others, along with MMPA’s sustainability commitment and members’ ability to produce outstanding quality milk is among the reasons why MMPA’s milk marketability is outstanding (pg. 8). MMPA members also know that greatness starts with goodness.

Mikayla Bowen, Editor messenger@mimilk.com Publication Designer Stacy Love rezudesign.com Printing Foresight Group, Stacey Trzeciak staceyt@foresightgroup.net Publication Office MMPA Milk Messenger P.O. Box 8002, Novi, MI 48376-8002 p: 248-474-6672 f: 248-474-0924 e: messenger@mimilk.com w: mimilk.com Established in 1916, MMPA is a member owned and operated dairy cooperative serving dairy farmers in Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin and Ohio.

An Equal Opportunity Employer – F/M/V/D Subscriptions: mimilk.com/subscribe MMPA members - 50¢ per year Non-members - $5 per year Circulation: 2,600 (ISSN 0026-2315)

milk messenger / JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024

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MILK MINUTE

MMPA’s Key to Success: Informed and Involved Members

BY DOUG CHAPIN, BOARD CHAIRMAN

M

MPA member involvement is key to our success and sets us apart from other cooperatives. Our members’ involvement strengthens our association, and it has helped us succeed through volatile dairy markets. While it’s critical that members participate in elections and cooperative business, it’s equally important that our cooperative remains successful in the future. To do that, we must attract the right leadership talent which only comes from having informed and involved member owners.

DOUG CHAPIN

During our Annual Meeting last March, the membership recognized how our association has changed through the years and unanimously approved a member-driven proposal to update our governance structure. We’ve seen our industry change and farms consolidate, and it’s no surprise that what may have worked a century ago was no longer working in today’s environment. The proposed changes led us to change from a delegate system to giving every farm one vote, and we redistricted to better align ourselves with the number of members we have today.

As a result of the changes, we held virtual membership briefings over the summer to provide an update to membership on our cooperative business. The management team at MMPA shared industry happenings and gave insight into MMPA’s market strategy.

In December, we held District Meetings for the first time where all members were invited to attend and conduct cooperative business. The meetings were a good chance for members to interact and learn about the cooperative, while meeting with staff. The attendance was encouraging, and I appreciated the questions that members asked. Overall, the district meetings allowed every member to participate in the governance of the cooperative, a critical component of a successful cooperative.

The changes to our governance structure also allowed us to evaluate our member committees and how we share information with our membership. It’s led to the development of a legislative group for members interested in legislative affairs. It’s also created CORE, an opportunity for members to get involved and learn more about MMPA. While CORE is just getting off the ground, we’re excited to officially share dates with our members and invite them to participate.

The first CORE program will be MMPA 101, which will be a good chance for members to understand their milk check and the tools MMPA has from the lab work to field staff involvement. MMPA 101 will also include a tour of our laboratory in Novi and will fill in a lot of blanks for those who haven’t been as involved before. Following MMPA 101, members will have the opportunity to participate in a Sustainability Summit to recognize what we’re already doing on the sustainability front and what areas we are working to improve in the future. We’re also excited to bring members to our Canton, Ohio plant as part of the CORE program in April. As a key part of our association’s initiatives, the acquisition of that plant was a significant investment and I encourage all members to learn how your money is being spent.

These opportunities are great to learn the key parts of our association’s initiatives and understand how members’ investments in the cooperative is working for them. As owners of the cooperative, our members have a significant investment in our business, and I encourage everyone to participate in the co-op and learn what that investment is doing for their operation.

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2023

GREAT LAKES REGIONAL DAIRY CONFERENCE February 8-9, 2024

Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort | Mt. Pleasant, Michigan Connect with experts, farmers and others in the industry to learn new tools, techniques and strategies to help your dairy thrive!

Topics include:

• Dairy market and policy outlook with Dr. Marin Bozic.

• Hearing experts discuss management strategies to improve your crops, everyday cow health and labor relations.

• Exploring business management approaches to increase profitability.

• A deeper look at reproduction, the future of nutrition and transition planning.

• Tackling what’s new in sustainability, practical health monitoring, and calf health.

• Don’t miss the FREE English and Spanish herdsperson sessions Thursday night, focused on cattle movement, maternity care, communication, and much more!

Early Registration Ends Jan. 28! www.glrdc.org | 989-666-3773 | honkemeg@msu.edu

QUALITY WATCH

What makes MMPA’s milk quality and marketability outstanding?

WE ASKED THE EXPERTS:

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Ben Chapin

Sarah Michalek

Christy Dinsmoore

MMPA Member Services Direcor

MMPA Sustainability Supervisor

MMPA Member Services Supervisor

As we begin the new year I often reflect on the previous year and our membership’s accomplishments. This past year we again saw a great number of MMPA members win quality awards both at the cooperative level and national level. It is always a privilege to hand out these awards to the membership. Your efforts and your attention to detail, doing things right does not go unnoticed.

Achieving great milk quality is truly a testament to our members’ dedication to produce a quality raw product, and it’s that kind of dedication and extra effort that allows MMPA to market their milk to the greatest advantage possible. Whether your milk goes into a bottle, cheese, powder, butter or other dairy ingredients, your quality provides our customers with the assurance of a safe, wholesome product.

I would like to thank all of you for your hard work, and as we begin 2024, the member services team and I look forward to working with you and your farm team in achieving your milk quality goals.

Sustainability is central to many conversations we have with customers during contract season. While superior milk quality and animal care gets you in the door, sustainability gets you a seat at the table. And it is MMPA’s active engagement in the sustainability space that has provided a wide range of opportunities for our members.

Over the last few years, we’ve not only been able to deliver incentivized programs to members, we’ve also been able to showcase the practices our members are already implementing on their farms to make their operations more sustainable.

As partners with a common goal, we have been able to collaborate with key customers to provide programs to members that explore the adoption of practices in the areas of feed management, nutrient management and feed production. These initiatives assist our members in mitigating financial risk associated with new practice adoption and in some cases, they also provide an opportunity for members to participate in the carbon marketplace within the dairy supply chain. During the Sustainability Summit in February, members will have the opportunity to learn more about how to participate in these programs.

MMPA members have access to numerous member services to help them achieve their milk quality goals.

Dairy Care Academy’s on-demand training modules help improve farm employee skills like milking practices and cattle movement. Along with providing on-farm milker training schools, MMPA member representatives can conduct a milking system analysis to provide diagnostics and recommendations on members’ CIP and milking systems.

In addition, members can utilize the MMPA laboratory for herd tests to sample individual cows for somatic cell counts and mastitis cultures. The lab also offers a Calf Milk Pasteurizer Program to run bacteria counts on pasteurized milk fed to calves to help improve calf heath and growth efficiency.

For farms searching for products that will help them achieve good milk quality, the MMPA Farm Supply Store stocks everything from gloves to rubber parts to CIP chemicals. MMPA member representatives serve as an on-farm partner helping with troubleshooting milk quality issues, guiding farms on Grade A related information and inspections, and ensuring continued outstanding milk marketability.

milk messenger / JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024

NEWS & VIEWS

UPCOMING

EVENTS

Great Lakes Regional Dairy Conference: February 8-9 in Mt. Pleasant Session topics include:

Dairy market and policy outlook with Dr. Marin Bozic.

February 28

MMPA Sustainability Summit

March 20

108th Annual Meeting

2024 Milk Check Dates January 17 and 26 February 16 and 26 March 18 and 26 April 17 and 26 May 17 and 28 June 17 and 26 July 17 and 26 August 16 and 26 September 17 and 26 October 17 and 25 November 18 and 26 December 17 and 26

MMPA producers scoring 95 percent or higher on Grade A Surveys and Federal Check Ratings WELCHKIN ACRES LLC* KEVIN DYKSTRA* ERIC J FRAHM* K & K KERN FARMS LLC* ERIC, JANEL & JARED WOODWARD* PETZOLD DAIRY FARMS LLC* WEBER FAMILY DAIRY LLC* WEIL DAIRY FARM LLC* SUSAN K STEWART* ELENBAUM FARMS* JACKSON DAIRY LLC THISTLE DEW DAIRY KAREN R CURELL B W HULETT FARM INC ROGER M WEISS HAUBENSTRICKER DAIRY FARM LLC WIEGERT DAIRY FARMS LLC FEDEWA DAIRY LLC SIMON DAIRY FARM LLC TERRI HAWBAKER WAMHOFF FAMILY DAIRY FARM LLC VICTOR PUSCHEL MSU DAIRY FARM *100

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T

he annual Great Lakes Regional Dairy Conference (GLRDC) offers dairy producers the opportunity to learn new strategies and tools to help their farm thrive. Producers will hear about what’s new in the industry and will take a deeper look at reproduction, the future of nutrition and transition planning.

The conference will take place Feb. 8-9, 2024 at the Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. Online registration closes on Jan. 28, 2024. Onsite registration is subject to availability.

Hearing experts discuss management strategies to improve your crops, everyday cow health and labor relations.

Exploring business management approaches to increase profitability.

Tackling what’s new in sustainability, practical health monitoring, and calf health.

Management strategies to improve crops, every day cow health and labor relations.

State of the industry. What’s next and what will it mean for you?

For more information or to register online, visit www.glrdc.org. To register by phone, call 989-666-3773.

MMPA member, Lynda Horning, receives Michigan Farm Bureau’s 2023 volunteer award Michigan Farm Bureau’s 2023 Presidential Volunteer of the Year award winner is MMPA member and Washtenaw County Farm Bureau board member Lynda Horning. She was presented the award on Nov. 29 during Michigan Farm Bureau’s Annual Meeting in Grand Rapids. The Presidential Volunteer of the Year Award honors those who exhibit next-level commitment to agriculture locally, and who inform the success of their county Farm Bureau.

As part of her more than 30 years of service in MFB, Horning has been on her county’s Promotion & Education (P&E) Committee for 25 years and became the current chairperson in 2014. Horning also serves as an MMPA Dairy Communicator.

MFB President Carl Bednarski presented Lynda Horning with a framed picture of MSU’s Beaumont Tower as part of her recognition as the 2023 Presidential Volunteer of the Year during the organization’s Annual Meeting in Grand Rapids. | Photo by Drew Williams, Farm News Media

PICTURED AT LEFT: Members of the MMPA Executive Committee join GoodSport Nutrition Founder & CEO Michelle McBride. Back row (L-R): Eric Frahm, MMPA District Director & Treasurer; Aaron Gasper, MMPA Director-At-Large; and Greg Soehnlen, MMPA Chief Operations and Business Development Officer. Front row (L-R): Carlton Evans, MMPA Director-At-Large; Joe Diglio, MMPA President & CEO; Michelle McBride, GoodSport Nutrition Founder & CEO; and Tony Jandernoa, MMPA District Director & Vice Chairman.

GoodSport® rescues and upcycles a nutrient-rich byproduct of ultrafiltered milk, a use that hadn’t been fully developed. This effort improves the value of the food system. MMPA is committed to social responsibility throughout the entire supply chain, with sustainable practices beginning on the farm and continuing through its processing facilities.

Michigan Milk Producers Association announces strategic investment in GoodSport Nutrition Partnership aims to create an alliance for future innovation and furthers commitment to sustainability.

M

ichigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA) announced that it has taken an equity stake in Chicago based start-up, GoodSport Nutrition, the company dedicated to harnessing the natural benefits of milk to create innovative, clean and effective sports nutrition solutions.

GoodSport Nutrition is recognized for launching GoodSport®, the first dairy-based sports drink on the market. GoodSport® is a natural hydration option with 3x the electrolytes and 33% less sugar than traditional sports drinks.

Peer-reviewed published studies funded by Dairy Management, Inc., demonstrate that the drink hydrates better than water and traditional sports drinks and improves exercise performance. The company utilizes naturally occurring electrolytes and vitamins extracted from milk to create the clear, refreshing sports drink.

“With a shared commitment to advancing dairy innovation and meeting evolving consumer preferences, the partnership reflects MMPA’s passion for creating new opportunities for our dairy farmer owners, our commitment to leveraging our investments in technology and our dedication to sustainability,” said Joe Diglio, MMPA president and CEO. “This partnership, along with MMPA’s subsidiary Creative Edge, will leverage our organizations’ strengths for future dairy product innovations that will promote the use of dairy to the next generation of consumers.”

“We are thrilled to welcome the Michigan Milk Producers Association as a strategic partner to drive growth and strengthen our ability to bring new, innovative and sustainable products to families across the country,” said Michelle McBride, Founder and CEO of GoodSport Nutrition. “Together, we will continue to champion the incredible benefits of milk as a natural, extremely effective and sustainable source of sports nutrition.”

The collaboration brings together the longstanding dairy expertise of MMPA with the forward-thinking approach of GoodSport Nutrition.

milk messenger / JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024

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LEGISLATIVE WATCH

Federal Order Hearing to Resume in Mid-January

2023 was a year when the House of Representatives was driven by political discord. Fortunately, the spirit of bipartisanship manifested itself in mid-December on Capitol Hill, as members of Congress overwhelmingly agreed that school children should have a wider range of milk options.

By a margin of greater than three to one, the House approved the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act (H.R. 1147) on December 13. The measure, led by Reps.

GT Thompson, R-PA, and Kim Schrier, D-WA, aims to broaden the milk options available in school meal programs by allowing whole and reduced fat milk to be served. Specifically, the bill would overturn restrictions imposed by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 by expressly stating that schools may offer students flavored or unflavored whole, reduced-fat, low-fat, fat-free and lactose-free milk.

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By permitting whole and reduced fat milk back into school cafeterias, the legislation intends to provide children with a wider variety of milk choices that they are more likely to choose, improving their overall nutrition intake. Since a law Congress passed in 2010 eliminated whole milk from school lunch menus, the science on the benefits of milk at all fat levels, as well as evidence of increased food waste from current limited lunch choices, helped make a compelling case that it was a mistake to restrict school milk choice.

The legislative focus on the whole milk campaign now moves to the Senate, where a similar measure awaits action. Sens. Roger Marshall (R-KS) and Peter Welch (D-VT) are leading the Senate version of the measure. That bill is not likely to receive a standalone vote, but instead is likely to be attached to a spending bill or possibly the Farm Bill next year.

NMPF’s December focus was finishing region-by-region discussion on its final proposal, Proposal #19 to update Class I differentials. NMPF testimony concluded with analysis supporting the full range of NMPF proposals for comprehensive modernization offered

by Dr. Scott Brown of the University of Missouri. Cooperative experts also explained both the need for updated differentials and the detailed analysis behind NMPF’s plan.

The final two weeks of presentations on the final three of 22 total proposals are scheduled for Jan. 16-19 and Jan. 29- Feb. 2, more than three months later than USDA’s originally projected completion date. Upon its conclusion, the next stage will be to create a legal brief, a written argument of NMPF’s case presented at the hearing to USDA using testimonies, exhibits, and crossexaminations.

For all the effort expended thus far, 2024 may be the most critical year of the entire FMMO modernization process that began with NMPF examination in 2021, as co-op leadership and farmer-owners lead the way in ensuring a final, adopted USDA proposal that heavily incorporates NMPF’s unanimously adopted, farmerled, consensus and common-sense proposal for change.

Shutterstock: Lunch tray/Katy Flaty

House Approves Whole Milk Bill with Resounding Bipartisan Support, Heads to Senate

When USDA’s Federal Milk Marketing Order hearing reconvenes on Jan. 16, it will set a new record for the longest hearing in USDA history. National Milk Producer Federation's (NMPF's) proposals, however, have all been examined, with dairy cooperative leadership firmly stamped on testimony and cross-examination that will likely reach more than 15,000 pages by its expected conclusion on Groundhog Day, Feb. 2.

USMCA Dispute Panel Limits Canadian Market Access November’s ruling by a U.S-MexicoCanada Agreement (USMCA) dispute panel allowing Canada to restrict the dairy access that the United States negotiated for in the USMCA pact weakens the agreement’s value to the U.S. dairy industry, according to the National Milk Producers Federation and the U.S. Dairy Export Council.

An earlier panel ruled in January 2022 that Canada had improperly restricted access to its market for U.S. dairy products. In response, Canada made insufficient changes to its dairy tariff rate quota (TRQ) system, resulting in an outcome that still fell far short of the market access the U.S. expected to receive under USMCA. To address that shortcoming, the U.S. brought a second case to challenge the changes that Canada instituted. In late November, the panel announced that Canada was not obligated to make further changes.

“It is profoundly disappointing that the dispute settlement panel has ruled in favor of obstruction of trade rather than trade facilitation,” said Jim Mulhern, president and CEO of NMPF. “Despite this independent panel’s adverse ruling, we’d like to thank the Biden Administration and the many members of Congress who supported us for their tireless pursuit of justice for America’s dairy sector. We urge Ambassador Tai and Secretary Vilsack to look at all available options to ensure that Canada stops playing games and respects what was negotiated.”

Since the U.S. Trade Representative initially launched the first dispute settlement case against Canada in 2021, USDEC and NMPF have worked with USTR, USDA, and Congress to try to secure full use and value of USMCA’s dairy TRQs for American dairy producers and processors.

“By allowing Canada to ignore its USMCA obligations, this ruling has unfortunately set a dangerous and damaging precedent,” said Krysta

Harden, president and CEO of USDEC. “We do however want to express our appreciation for allies in Congress and the Administration for their efforts and commitment to fighting for U.S. dairy. This is unfortunately not the only shortcoming in Canada’s compliance with its international commitments.

We are committed to working with USTR and USDA to evaluate efforts to address Canada’s continued harmful actions that depress dairy imports while simultaneously evading USMCA’s dairy export disciplines.”

When first implemented in 2020, USMCA established 14 different TRQs, which allow a predetermined quantity of imports at a specified low tariff rate. The TRQ system that Canada implemented awarded the vast majority of TRQ volumes to Canadian processors and granted very limited access to TRQs to distributors – resulting in limited market access for U.S. exporters. Minor modifications to that system made in 2022 have continued that imbalanced approach.

“By allowing Canada to ignore its USMCA obligations, this ruling has unfortunately set a dangerous and damaging precedent.

We do however want to express our appreciation for allies in Congress and the Administration for their efforts and Shutterstock: Flags/Remistudio

commitment to fighting for U.S. dairy.”

– KRYSTA HARDEN, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF USDEC

milk messenger / JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024

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MMPA QUALITY AWARDS

2023 MMPA Quality Awards District meetings this season included presentations of quality awards to 295 members for the production of outstanding quality milk over the last fiscal year. Bronze, silver and gold awards recognize members who met the established criteria for each award.

Bronze quality awards are presented to MMPA members

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

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

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

Star awards will be presented to those members who have received a quality award for five (one star), 10 (two stars), 15 (three stars), 20 (four stars) or 25 (five stars) consecutive years.

295 Bronze Quality Awards 206 Silver Quality Awards 67 22 Gold Quality Awards Total Quality Awards

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District 1 GOLD Horning Farms LLC VanderMade Dairy LLC Gasser Farms LLC SILVER Williams Family Farm LLC De Vries Dairy LTD Mutti Dairy Farms LLC Vernon M Raber Jeff Hershberger Leroy L & Maryann Yoder Steinhurst Farms LLC Gasser Farms LLC (R) Eric R Bleich BRONZE Drakeland Farms LLC Rodney & Linda Goedel Farriss Dairy Farms Inc Dale Kolonchuk JLH-JH Farms LLC Specht Valley Farms LLC Rocky Point Farms LLC Joseph Weaver Doughty Valley Holsteins LLC Troyland Acres LLC Aaron Yoder Lavern Schlabach Family Reuben D Yoder Clardale Farms LLC Riske Farms Marvin Farms Inc Ferris Farms Poling Dairy Farm Zenz Farms Ted & Jonathan Keenan Matthew Smith Hartland Farms Inc Rosedale Farms LLC District 2 GOLD Carl Zook Chase Crest Hill Farms LLC James & Sarah Delagrange Dorvin Shaum Crandall Dairy Farm LLC Hammond Dairy Farm LLC (15)

SILVER Devon Ray Yoder Daniel A Bontrager David H Miller Wakiana Dairy Inc (5) Martin Yoder Jr Joseph E Miller Nathan E Miller Ladine Dairy Farm LLP BRONZE Steven D Miller Jerry D Lehman (5) Maplebranch Farms Inc Alvin D Bontrager (20) Raymond D Yoder Harley S Schrock Marlin R Miller Naaman Martin Milton D Bontrager Rufus B Zimmerman Harvey & Lamar Yoder Andrew E Mast Verlin J Yoder Lamar J Eash Jacob W Weaver (15) Paul W Miller Verlin R Miller Maynard & Laura Lehman Henry J Mullett LaVern D Miller Jesse & Chelsea Ramer Jason W Zimmerman Snider Farms LLP David N Miller Lamar J Miller Maynard F Miller Ritter Farms Kevin & Lane Pixley Smith Farms Mark Hilaski Kuperus Dairy LLC Welchkin Acres LLC Melvin T Puschel Garold D Yoder Donald Lindsey Glenn G Hochstetler Laverne O Borkholder David L Nisley Reuben Kamp

Mike & David Van Wanzeele Elmer L Schrock Larry M Hershberger Ernest & Erma Wengerd The Graber Family Glen R Mast Marlin Hoover Jonathan J Yoder DeWayne E Mishler Gerald M Martin William L Bowerman Alva Lengacher Raymond L Miller Kelly Moored Webers Meadow LLC Clearview Dairy Farm LLC Victor Puschel Wamhoff Family Dairy Farm LLC Vandenberg and Vandenberg Timothy & Charles Hood & Tamara Spicher Sunrise Acres LLC

District 3 GOLD Larsen Farms Spring Lake Farms LLC Chapin Family Farm LLC Bon-Dale Farm Tjerk Okkema Donald A Beattie (20) SILVER Sueann M Higgins Sunglow Dairy LLC Fisk Farms Raterink Farms LLC (20) Norris Dairy Farm Inc Beuschel Fruit & Dairy LLC (5) Stakenas Farms Inc (25) Robert & Donna Pepper Van Polen Farms Carey Farms LLC Many Blessings Dairy Inc Dick Haven Farm LLC Lew-Max LLC Tacoma Dairy Inc Carson Acres LLC Klamer Farms Inc Ephraim & Esther Martin Gingrich Meadows Inc BRONZE Beerens Dairy Farm Slater Farms LLC Adkinson Farms LLC (10) Byma Dairy LLC Tumbleweed Dairy LLC Steven C Roth Koppenol Dairy Farms Inc Stroven Farms Derek Hecksel Thurow Farms LLC Marlynn & Corliss Gulembo III & Corliss Gulembo IV

Nienhuis Dairy Farm LLC Paulen Farms Inc Bode Valley Farm Inc Marvin Stein Pine Hills Dairy LLC Cook Dairy Farm Benson Dairy LLC (5) Ronald J Brinks Benthem Brothers Inc Jeff & Larry Nielsen Heyboer Farms Inc David L DeZeeuw Zuiderveen Farms LLC Buning Dairy Farm LLC Prosperous Farms LLC Garlomar Farms Inc (5) Matthew & Kimberly Deruiter Dan Mauer Dairy LLC Aris Dairy Farm LLC Dodde Dale Farms LLC (20) Holtrop Dairy LLC Wirth Farms LLC Gilde Farms LLC Byma Farms LLC (5) Robert & William Gruppen Stump Brothers Farm Inc Booms Dairy LLC Troyer Farm Edward & Darlene Gingerich Leroy & Ella Zimmerman J-Max LLC Slater Farms Baseline LLC Diller Farms Dutch Meadows Dairy LLC Mervin Martin Laverne & Maribeth Zimmerman & Sons (5) Lakeside Dairy LLC Devon Miller Cheryl Becks Benthem Brothers Inc Charles Storms

Robert & Scott Paidl Raymond & Miriam Kuhr Vanderploeg Holsteins LLC Double B Dairy Chippewa Dairy LLC Krafft Farms LLC Central Michigan Milk Production LLC Lavon Hoover Lehn & Janet Martin

BRONZE Taylor Creek Farm LLC Rubingh’s Dairyland LLC Norwood Centennial Farm LLC Boss Dairy Farms Inc Friesen Legacy Farm LLC Clark Dairy Farm LLC Martin C Fox Reetz Dairy LLC W-R-L Daniels Farm LLC Mark Wiles Wilson Centennial Farm LLC (15) Haubenstricker Dairy Farm LLC K & K Kern Farms LLC Albert L Styma Werth Dairy LLC Lucas Dairy Farms LLC Gallagher Dairy Farm Inc Butterwerth Dairy Farm LLC (15) Vanderploeg Holsteins II LLC West End Dairy Inc John Koch (10) Hoolsema Dairy Inc Tara Anthon Cattle & Management LLC Norman & Sarann Byler De Saegher Dairy Inc Vernon D Yoder (5) Keith & Emily Martin EB Ridge Dairy LLC #3 Naaman Martin (5) Alfred & Susan Gingerich (5) Stanek Farm Ryan J Litwiller

District 4

District 5

GOLD Cedar Lane Dairy Farms LLC Lemajru Dairy Farm LLC (10) Bennett Dairy Farm LLC Eric J Frahm Mark R Ramer

GOLD Schultz Dairy LLC (5) Oak River Dairy LLC

SILVER Louis & Ronald Brecht Jack Evans (5) Risky Endeavor Dairy LLC Richard R Wardin Double Eagle Dairy Inc Godfrey Farms Inc (5) Anschuetz Dairy Farm Derek Brewer Christensen Farms Chad Peters Joseph P Zbytowski Kevin Litwiller (15)

BRONZE Everett William Bone Ritter Farms LLC Weil Dairy Farm LLC (5) Starward Farm Bon-Tek Operations LLC Susan K Stewart Evergreen Dairy Farm LLC Reed Dairy Farm LLC Thelen Dairy Inc Oak View Dairy LLC Braid Farms Inc Weber Family Dairy LLC Eric, Janel & Jared Woodward Clarinda Farms LLC Siegler Dairy Farm LLC Eric & Ashley Kennedy RLS Dairy Inc MK Farms LLC Timothy Mater Sonray Acres MSU Dairy Cattle Teaching & Research Center Edward, James & Patrick Bolday Hudzinski Dairy Farm Yolonda Markey Anibal Farms T & H Dairy II Reba Zimmerman & Sons David J Leavine Bradley Stine Keith & Jane Wood Rose Valley Dairy LLC Goma Dairy Farms Highland Dairy LLC Baese Family Farm LLC Delcath Farms LLC Volmering Family Dairy Inc Lamb Dairy Farm LLC Reid Dairy Farm LLC Chester J Petzold

SILVER Welter Dairy Farms LLC Wieber Dairy LLC Andrew J Feldpausch Jem-Lot Dairy LLC Sanborn & Sons LLC Green Meadow Farms Enterprises Brown Dairy Inc Donal Farm LLC Petzold Dairy Farms LLC Frederick & Candice Inbody EB Ridge Dairy LLC

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MMPA DISTRICT MEETINGS

MMPA hosts District Member Meetings For the first time in the association’s history, Michigan Milk Producer Association (MMPA) members gathered for district meetings in December and farms had the opportunity to cast a ballot to conduct cooperative business traditionally performed by delegates.

The meetings took place in each of the five districts, with locations in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana. During the meetings, members heard a cooperative update from MMPA leadership, celebrated MMPA quality award winners and joined in fellowship with members from their district.

Dec. 12 | Findlay, OH

Dec. 15 | Shipshewana, IN

Dec. 6 | White Cloud, MI

Dec. 7 | Midland, MI

District 1:

District 2:

District 3:

District 4:

Chairperson: Paul Keener Vice Chairperson: Robin Steiner Secretary: Art Riske

Chairperson: Dan Ransler Vice Chairperson: Josh Gamble Secretary: Richard Thomas

Chairperson: Jack Jeppesen Vice Chairperson: John Black Secretary: Amy Martin

Chairperson: Marv Rubingh Vice Chairperson: John Bennett Secretary: Rod Fowler

Association Nominating Committee: Clark Emmons Association Nominating Committee Alternate: Trent Stoller

Association Nominating Committee: Garrett Bartholomew

District Nominating Committee: Clark Emmons, Burke Hart, Paul Keener, Tim Miller, Art Riske, Robin Steiner, Lambert Vandermade

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This new member meeting format was a result of the delegate body unanimously approving a modernized governance structure during MMPA’s Annual Meeting in March 2023. The proposal was put forth by the MMPA Membership Structure Task Force, and the new meetings are one of many changes that pave the way to better serve an evolving membership.

Association Nominating Committee: Jonathan Acker Association Nominating District Nominating Committee: Committee Alternate: John Adam, Garrett Bartholomew, Amy Martin Kurt Chase, Josh Gamble, Mike Martin, Dan Ransler District Nominating Committee: John Black, Gordon Dick, Amy Martin, Dan Mauer, Glen Sparks

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Association Nominating Committee: Dave Folkersma Association Nominating Committee Alternate: Ron Lucas District Nominating Committee: John Bennett, Rod Fowler, Mark Iciek, Ron Lucas, Marv Rubingh, Doug Stevens, Russ Tolan

MMPA District Member Meeting Election Results During District Meetings in December, MMPA members in Districts 1, 2 and 4 elected the following producers to serve a three-year term beginning March 20, 2024, as District Directors on the MMPA board of directors: District 1: Paul Keener of Ashland, Ohio District 2: Brian Preston of Quincy, Mich.

District 4: Corby Werth of Alpena, Mich. and Eric Frahm of Frankenmuth, Mich.

In addition to District Director positions, MMPA members elected district officer and nominating committee members (listed at the bottom of pages 16-17).

Dec. 14 | Flint, MI

District 5: Chairperson: Darwin Sneller Vice Chairperson: Brad Ritter Secretary: Sara Lee Association Nominating Committee: Stephanie Schafer Association Nominating Committee Alternate: Darwin Sneller District Nominating Committee: John Hufnagel, Ashley Kennedy, Sara Lee, David Reed, Leroy Schafer, James Weber

Protect what matters.

District Meetings by the Numbers:

We understand the unpredictability that farming brings – from weather to market conditions, and everything in between.

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Our team of crop insurance specialists can create a risk management plan tailored to your unique needs.

District Meetings

800-444-FARM

131 Member Farms Participated

295 Quality Awards Celebrated

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GreenStone FCS is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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DAIRY CARE ACADEMY

DAIRY CARE ACADEMY: ONLINE. ON-DEMAND. UNLIMITED. Start your new year off right by making sure your employees are up to date on all things animal care.

along with the latest FARM program required training areas of Euthanasia, Non-Ambulatory Animal Management and Fitness to Transport. Recently added, the Milking Practices course is also available in Spanish.

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

The six different topics are complete courses with videos and resources compiled by the MMPA Dairy Care Academy team from reputable sources, making it easy for members and farm employees to complete the course relevant to their role on the farm, take a quiz covering what they have learned and receive a printable certificate if they score 80 percent or better on the quiz.

Successful dairy operations rely on quality employee training because training keeps all animal caretakers on task and performing best practices.

Therefore, Dairy Care Academy teaches farm employees how to provide excellent care to animals.

Farms that benefit the most from training are those that commit to incorporating best procedures taught to employees on their farm. Setting expectations and evaluating adherence to procedures long-term are surefire ways to build a successful farm team.

This training resource is available year-round for unlimited use. To access the online platform, MMPA members can visit the member portal

MMPA farms interested in on-farm training, contact your member representative to schedule classroomstyle or other training opportunities.

D

MMPA members have access to an on-demand, FARM program compliant online training platform. The resource covers Milking Practices, Calf Management and Dairy Stockmanship

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and select the Dairy Care Academy link on the homepage or ask your member representative for details.

Online Dairy Care Academy Courses: Milking Practices (Available in English and Spanish) Learn best milking practices and key ways to improve milk quality and udder health.

Dairy Stockmanship Learn how to work with a cow’s pressure zone, how the environment has an impact on cattle movement and why good stockmanship increases milk production, improves herd health, and reduces animal and handler injuries.

Calf Care Understand why calf housing should be clean, dry, draft free and ventilated, why the quality of colostrum is impacted by equipment cleanliness and milk storage, and how to properly sanitize calf equipment.

Fitness to Transport Study the importance of animal comfort and safety when handling, moving and transporting dairy animals.

Non-Ambulatory Animal Management Learn proper care of down animals, acceptable methods of non-ambulatory cow movement and employee safety while moving non-ambulatory animals.

Euthanasia Understand acceptable methods of euthanasia, correct anatomical sites for euthanasia and indicators of unconsciousness in dairy cattle.

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POWERFUL PARTNERSHIPS

The Goodness of Dairy

From Milk Byproduct to Sports Drink

I

t took a creative mom looking for a better sports drink solution for her son during his sports games to realize how the goodness of milk could create a healthy, natural hydrator that works better than the leading sports drinks for her kid and other athletes in the world. Milk’s goodness inspired GoodSport’s Founder

to create a clear, refreshing sports drink by extracting the electrolytes and carbohydrates from milk, simultaneously creating a new format to consume dairy and disrupting the sports drink aisle as we know it today.

A born and raised Michigander with college experience at both Michigan State University and the University of Michigan, Michelle McBride, proud mom and founder and CEO of GoodSport Nutrition is the first to admit, “I have no background in dairy. I’m an attorney. I was a nonprofit executive. And I came up with this idea of GoodSport because I didn’t want my kids drinking sport drinks filled with artificial ingredients.”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

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Shutterstock: Turf & ball/Shook-PIC

As members of the dairy community, we know that milk has a lot of goodness.

With 13 essential nutrients, it is ultra-hydrating, has high-quality protein and is an excellent source of calcium and vitamin D to support bone health.

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“

After some research, I learned that milk is not only packed with electrolytes, but it is significantly more hydrating than water and traditional sports drinks as well.”

MICHELLE MCBRIDE, PROUD MOM AND FOUNDER AND CEO OF GOODSPORT NUTRITION

“My husband and I had read about athletes who drink chocolate milk to recover after working out, so we started to bring our son that as a healthier alternative for after sports,” McBride said. The problem remained though that milk wasn’t his beverage of choice before and during a sport activity.

“After some research, I learned that milk is not only packed with electrolytes, but it is significantly more hydrating than water and traditional sports drinks as well,” McBride said. “I figured there has to be a way to extract milk’s hydrating components to create a better sports drink, but I knew I needed some experts to help me with it.”

“We tried all the natural sports drink options, and my son didn’t like the taste, and then I came to learn that they don’t provide any level of hydration beyond plain water anyway,” McBride explained. “There was something inside of me that said, ‘I wonder if you could make a natural sports drink from milk that would work better.’”

McBride turned to Dr. Bob Murray, the current GoodSport Chief Science Officer and the previous founder and director of the Gatorade Sports Science Institute. “Dr. Bob is an internationally renowned expert on sports hydration. He has worked with the biggest athletes and teams in the world and is an extraordinarily wellpublished scientist.”

That’s how the idea of GoodSport was born. “You have the traditional sports drinks that are made with artificial ingredients and too much sugar. And you’ve got the natural sports drinks, but they don’t hydrate any better than water,” McBride said. “GoodSport fills the void in the space of by being a sport drink made with only natural ingredients that’s backed by peerreviewed published studies to hydrate not only better than water, but better than traditional sport drinks as well.”

After spending a year mulling over the ground-breaking idea of a dairy-based sports drink, McBride finally pursued it. She did the research and turned to experts to make the idea into a reality.

Inititally, a milky formula was created.

After testing it with consumers, McBride and Murray found that while the idea was appealing, athletes wanted something that had the mouthfeel and tasted more like a traditional sports drink. This revelation led them to working with the Center for Dairy Research at the University of Wisconsin.

“Working with the Center for Dairy Research, I was taught that you could use ultrafiltration to remove the protein and fat from milk (the milky part) and extract its electrolytes, carbohydrates, and B vitamins in a clear liquid to make a sports drink,” McBride said. “I also learned that we didn’t necessarily have

MEMBERS AND FRIENDS OF MMPA CAN RECEIVE 20% OFF GOODSPORT PRODUCTS

BY USING CODE 20MMPA24 ON AMAZON OR AT HTTP:// GOODSPORT.COM/.* *OFFER ONLY VALID THROUGH APRIL 15, 2024.

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to go out and buy tankers full of milk and ultrafilter it myself and waste the protein that I didn’t need for my sports drink because dairy processors, like Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA), ultrafilter milk to make products like protein powders, and have no use for the nutritious part of the milk that we would need to make the sports drink.”

As one of their early suppliers of GoodSport’s milk permeate, the main ingredient in the product, MMPA was an obvious partner when it came to moving the needle for GoodSport.

The partnership that began as supplying their permeate has now turned to MMPA taking brand equity stake in the company.

“MMPA’s partnership means the world to us because it is a vote of confidence from the dairy industry and from the farmers themselves. Together, we’re really going to help make every drop of milk count,” McBride said. “It’s such a fantastic strategic alliance because MMPA has its own objectives and priorities in terms of innovation and product diversification to help keep dairy relevant for consumers going forward, and those same initiatives are relevant to GoodSport.”

of information on the nutrient content of permeate, McBride relied on Dairy Management Inc. (DMI), part of the national dairy checkoff program, to conduct research and strengthen the case for GoodSport being a solution to the problems she faced as a mom.

“DMI really helped support us with insights, information and research.,” McBride said. “We knew we had the components of a really well formulated sports drink, but we hadn’t had any type of study done that proved GoodSport hydrates better than the traditional sports drinks, so that’s where we started.”

Their research found that the goodness of dairy did make GoodSport better.

The sports drink is a natural hydration option with 3X the electrolytes and 33% less sugar than traditional sports drink.

The research also found that GoodSport hydrates better than water and traditional sports drinks and improves exercise performance.

“There are sports drinks that come and go from retail shelves all the time with little difference except for the names.

When you look at consumer research and what consumers are looking for when they’re making purchases in the beverage aisle, the top three purchase indicators are whether the product is

natural, whether it has proven efficacy, and whether it is sustainable,” McBride said.

And how does GoodSport stack up?

“We have an all-natural product that’s proven to hydrate significantly better than water and traditional sports drinks and is upcycled certified because we’re upcycling a component of milk that otherwise would not get used,” Michelle said. Then she humbly added, “It’s a pretty good product-market fit.”

Really, it’s a nearly perfect productmarket fit, and exactly what McBride was looking for when she set out to make a sports drink that was “good for you, good for sport and good for the planet.”

As for what’s next, GoodSport’s partnership with MMPA includes utilizing a recently awarded grant from the Dairy Business Innovation Alliance to work on a new format of GoodSport. The partnership and funds are guaranteed to continue innovating the future of dairy because McBride recognizes that “honest to goodness, there’s a lot of good here.”

The Center for Dairy Research and MMPA weren’t the only relationships that McBride made in the dairy industry. Since there wasn’t a database

GoodSport’s four flagship sports drink flavors are Lemon Lime, Fruit Punch, Wild Berry and Citrus, with Fruit Punch and Wild Berry as their two most popular flavors.

In January, GoodSport launched an additional two flavors: Strawberry Lemonade and Blue Raspberry.

GoodSport is currently available in Walmart stores throughout the Midwest.

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Your cooperative farm supply source, available online mimilk.com/farm-supply-store

ONLINE PRODUCTS INCLUDE Sanitation Chemicals

Udder Care & Milk Prep

Minerals & Milk Replacers

Hoses & Filters

Inflations & Rubber Parts

Testing Equipment & More

Shop the Farm Supply Store online!

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•

Browse a wide variety of products available at competitive pricing and just a click away.

•

Minimum order for direct shipments reduced to $250.

Flat-rate shipping of $10 on orders under $250. The MMPA Farm Supply Store sells products only to customers in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and Wisconsin.

•

The store is a cooperative resource, returning all profits back to member-owners every February along with cash patronage refunds.

1996 Gover Pkwy, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858 989-317-8370 » fssonline@mimilk.com www.mimilk.com/farm-supply-store

BRYAN AND MOLLY

BENSON

Sustainability is the name of the game for Bryan and Molly Benson. These fifthgeneration farmers have their family front of mind as Bryan’s father continues to work on the farm, and they have three children as the upcoming generation: Fenton, Hartley, Josette, and Alicia. At Benson Dairy LLC, their six Lely robots, LED light installation and thermostat run fans are all practices that are helping keep their farm efficient and sustainable for future generations.

Q&A: Q: What’s your farm’s greatest achievement?

Being here for 152 years, we’re the 5th generation.

Q: What do you love about being a farmer?

Creating a sustainable business for generations to come!

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

Hard work, always willing to adjust the ways we think and work!

Q: What’s your favorite chore? Why? Anything field work. I love putting up high quality feed for our cows. And just being good stewards of the land God has blessed us with!

Q: How can someone easily improve their milk quality?

Cleanliness and consistency Q: Why do you milk cows?

To produce the highest quality milk for consumers!

Q: Describe your farm management style in three words.

Visionary. Participative. Goal-setting.

Q: What’s one practice you’d try on your farm if you knew it was impossible to fail?

Processing our own milk.

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

Hopefully still here and the 6th generation chasing their dreams!

ON THEIR FARM: If you visit their farm in Cadillac, Michigan, you may run into one of the many tour groups that Molly helps organize. Working with legislative representatives and the Traverse City Home School Group, the dairy opens their doors to share dairy knowledge with the public. The couple is very active in their community as well, delivering bags of food to students in need through the Cadillac Area Backpack Association as well as being active members of the Living Light Church. milk milkmessenger messenger/ /JANUARY-FEBRUARY JANUARY-FEBRUARY2024 2024 2525

YOUR DAIRY PROMOTION AT WORK

YOUR DAIRY CHECKOFF AT WORK NATIONAL UPDATES DMI spearheaded the development of seven new dairy-based drinks at Taco Bell as a first for the quick-service restaurant chain. While Taco Bell has some frozen beverages on the menu, those items are fruit-forward options such as the DMI-developed Mango Whip and Wild Strawberry Crème Delight Freezes.

The two new frozen beverage platforms include a line of Coffee Chillers and a line of Churro Chillers. The Coffee Chillers are available in three flavors, Mexican Chocolate, Caramel Churro, and Spiced Vanilla. The Churro Chillers are reminiscent of a shake or dessert, including four flavors designed to pair with the restaurants’ spicy cuisine: Mexican Chocolate, Dulce de Leche Coffee, Wild Strawberry and Sweet Vanilla.

Only two southern California locations will debut these offerings on December 15, but stay tuned for when these items are available at a Taco Bell near you.

LOCAL UPDATES Ohio State Athletics Promote Dairy on Social Media Your dairy checkoff program continues to work with a variety of social media influencers to reach young adults with positive dairy messages and ultimately inspire purchase. This past fall, ADA Mideast engaged five Ohio State collegiate athletes – both men and women from a variety of sports – through the NCAA NIL program to

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promote dairy. The athletes each posted videos on their personal Instagram and TikTok accounts showing how they authentically include dairy foods in their everyday life. Their videos combined have received more than 264,000 views and nearly 10,000 likes, comments and interactions, which is strong engagement! ADA Mideast plans to continue working with collegiate athletes in 2024 to reach more Gen Z consumers.

New Videos Featuring Ohio Dairy Farmers Educating consumers about dairy farmers’ environmental and animal stewardship practices continues to be a priority for your dairy checkoff program. This year, ADA Mideast filmed at three Ohio dairy farms to create new videos and social media content to share with consumers.

Be sure to follow us on TikTok, Instagram and Facebook to see our latest videos, or find them on Drink-Milk.com!

“Modern Dairy Farming: Caring for Cows” and “Modern Dairy Farming: Caring for the Environment” is a video featuring MMPA member Frank Burkett of ClarDale Farms in Canal Fulton that offers viewers an inside look at how cows and calves are cared for on farms. MMPA member Trent Stoller of GreenTop Acres in Haviland shares how he is using the innovative nutrient management technology 360 RAIN to protect the environment in the video “New Technology: Advancing Sustainability.” The video “Meet the

Dotterers” features RMD Dairy in Rittman and shares how the Dotterers have embraced modern technology to produce wholesome milk and care for their cows.

Increasing Access to Dairy Information for Spanish-Speakers As the second largest and fastest growing demographic in the United States, Hispanic consumers represent an integral piece of the dairy sales puzzle. American Dairy Association Indiana (ADAI) has worked to develop new resources and convert existing information into Spanish to reach students, teachers, parents and others in the Hispanic community.

Indiana serves as the host state for the Spanish “Adopt a Cow” program for the country with Ashley Risner at Loehmer Dairy. As a former Spanish teacher, Ashley returned to the family farm and manages the operation with her father, while working closely with their farm employees, many of which are Hispanic. ADAI celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month by relaunching our most popular video series, “Milk from Cow to You”, translated into Spanish.

We also focused one of our virtual tours on introducing Spanish words on the farm, which had the second highest student registration of tours in 2023. Spanish resources continue to be in high demand for native speakers as well as those interested in learning the language. Please reach out to your checkoff staff if you are looking for information, handouts, videos and more in Spanish!

UNITED DAIRY INDUSTRY OF MICHIGAN

Indiana State Fair Dairy Bar is a Slam Dunk The 2023 theme for the State Fair was “Basketball”, and the Dairy Bar operated

by ADAI played a full-court press to share the dairy story with over 850,000 attendees. With over 62,000 milkshakes, 38,000 grilled cheese sandwiches, and 26,000 ice creams sold, the Dairy Bar continues to be a staple for visitors looking for delicious and affordable treats at the Fair. It’s more than just the food - the partnerships activated at the State Fair extend throughout the year. Social media activations with Colts Mascot Blue reached over 250,000 people, and media interviews shared the fun of dairy with almost 42 million viewers. These interactions build trust during the State Fair and lead to additional stories about dairy farming, nutrition and research after the event is over.

Refueling with Chocolate Milk Isn’t Just for Sports

Shutterstock: Chocolate milk/New Africa

Chocolate milk has long been the premier beverage for recovery after exercise and competition, but an ADAI partnership aims to include more than just athletes. Through the Indiana State

School Music Association (ISSMA), students in marching band and choir are seeing the benefits of dairy to power practices and performances. Students from 40 schools across the state receive milk after they walk off the field from their State Finals competition, providing important protein and electrolytes to refuel. ADAI also sponsors scholarships for each of the band divisions, presented

by Indiana dairy farmers in person.

Connecting this young generation with a farmer builds trust in where their food comes from by putting a face to a product.

Winning bands also celebrate with their own bottles of milk, reflecting the state’s tradition at the Indy 500 and promoting the tagline “Winners Drink Milk”!

Dollar General Advertising Campaign As part of our goal to increase sales, UDIM, in partnership with DMI, and five other local dairy promotion organizations will run an in-store advertising campaign at Dollar General stores from Nov. 13 – Jan. 14. More consumers are shopping for staple food items like butter, milk and eggs at dollar stores because of recent price increases on these items at traditional grocery stores. Look for display signs on the milk coolers and in the cookie aisle at a Dollar General store near you!

UDIM Attends SNAM Annual Conference A record-breaking attendance at this year’s School Nutrition Association of Michigan Annual Conference included 470 food service directors and staff from Michigan schools. This year UDIM featured milk dispensers and new resources to show schools this innovative way to serve milk. UDIM

worked with Tarrah Westercamp of Westercamp Consulting to share her experience starting milk dispenser programs in other states. UDIM also partnered with Utica Community Schools to share how they are reaching students at the high school level by featuring menu items with certain carbto-protein ratios, like chocolate milk, that align with specific training days for the student athletes. UDIM already has 10 schools signed up to join the pilot of milk dispensers in Michigan schools in hopes of achieving the statistics shared with programs across the country.

UDIM E-Commerce Ad Campaigns Your UDIM team ran ad campaigns across webpages, Spotify, television, store displays and social media.

These ads are targeting both Gen Z and Millennial parents to drive dairy consumption. The results of each ad campaign are below: Retail Website Ads 276,031 impressions 821 clicks

Spotify Ads 362,335 impressions 121,492 reach

Television Ads 216,278 impressions 96.68% completion rate

Social Media Ads Instagram 410,836 impressions

TikTok 630,960 impressions

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FREELINERS AND CLASSIFIEDS

TO SUBMIT FREELINERS AND CLASSIFIED ADS, CONTACT MMPA VIA EMAIL AT MESSENGER@MIMILK.COM OR VISIT MIMILK.COM/FREELINER-CLASSIFIED.

Freeliners Freeliners 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 issues (one issue, unless otherwise requested). After that, it will be withdrawn.

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

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

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

FOR SALE: POLLED HOLSTEIN, JERSEY AND NORWEGIAN RED BULLS. All bred from very functional dams. Thirty to choose from of various ages. Hardy and healthy with strong feet and legs, raised on pasture.

Competitively priced. Young beef bulls also available. For pictures and pedigrees call or text 906-287-0746.

3 NH 890 CHOPPERS in excellent condition with hay, corn or snapping heads.

Call 810-728-6237.

FOR SALE: SUNSET MILK TANK, 1575 gallon with wash pump, two compressors and a controller. $9,800 OBO. Call 810-728-6237.

FOR SALE: DOUBLE FOUR AUTO-FLOW MILKING PARLOR. Best offer. Call 810-728-6237.

FOR SALE: COMPLETE DOUBLE SIX HERRINGBONE PARLOR, surge vacuum and pulsation, delevalve milkers receiver, plate cooler, Mueller 800-gallon bulk tank, new 4hp compressor in 2021, many extra parts, GEA stalls new in 2012. Package price $15,000.

Call 269-377-2638.

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

FOR SALE: 800-GALLON MUELLER BULK TANK. H&S 5126 side slinger manure spreader.

Call 989-551-5977.

2022 & 2023 CORN SILAGE FOR SALE: Approximately 15,000 ton. $45 per ton picked up. Location South Clare County. Call or text Tim 989-429-6002.

FOR SALE: 3000-GALLON SURGE BULK TANK. Model 87310 Serial No 931001. Was used since new 30 years ago, never moved in that time. Just upgraded to a bigger tank. Included are the Control Box, Wash Pump, 2 single phase 5hp compressors, and a GEA Super Heater. Asking $20,000 and can help you load it. Contact Brian 269-720-7637.

FUTURECOW TEAT PREP SYSTEM, COMPLETE SYSTEM: control box, chemical mixer/pump, cable and 3 extra scrubbers. Worked great, no longer used after robots installed. $10,000 or OBO. Call 231-578-3007.

FOR SALE: HERD OF HOLSTEIN DAIRY COWS AND HEIFERS. Available Sept.-Oct. 2024.

Have decided to discontinue dairying for various reasons, I am looking for a buyer or buyers for a complete herd of Holstein dairy cows and springing heifers. Approx. 60 cows and heifers available. It has been a closed herd for over 20 years and have used polled bulls for the last number of years. Located in Fairview, MI. Call 989-745-3695.

LOOKING TO GET MORE OUT OF YOUR ALFALFA? PLANT CROPLAN® SEED. CROPLAN.COM

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Classifieds Classifieds Policy Cost for classifieds is $25 for the first 35 words and then $5 for each additional word. Payment due with order.

All ads must be received by the 10th of the month preceding desired month of publication. MMPA neither sponsors nor endorses products or services advertised in the Milk 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. Three 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 provides high quality traction in new and old concrete, fast service.

NIENOW GROOVING. Call Cliff at 989-635-1494.

FOR SALE: NEW & USED MILK TANKS. We stock all sizes, makes, models. Special prices to co-op members, corporate & private farms. Contact us anytime day or night. Special on 2000 gal. Muellers for $13,900 & up.

2700 & 4000 gal. Muellers call for quote. 800-558-0112.

STRAW & DRY HAY (large & small bales). Feed Oats, Feed Barley and Corn Silage. Delivery available.

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

Cold stress in calves It’s not surprising that calves need more energy to grow in the winter months, but what is surprising is at what temperature those extra energy needs begin. Calves at 21 days or younger will need more energy in their diet when the average temperature drops below 60°F. On average, that temperature is reached October through April in Michigan. Calves older than 21 days can handle temperatures a little colder but begin requiring extra energy when temperatures drop below 42°F. Calves older than 21 days begin to tolerate low temperatures because their rumen begins fermenting their feed.

During this time of year, one last thing to keep in mind is feeding intervals.

You always want to keep feedings as close to 12 hours as you can. If feedings are done at 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., those calves have 15 hours at the coldest times of the day to try and keep warm and continue to grow.

You can work with the Farm Supply Store to purchase calf blankets and ensure you’re meeting your calves’ energy needs.

Three Ways to Order MMPA Merchandise from the FARM SUPPLY STORE 1 Order online at www.mimilk.com/farm-supply-store 2 Call in your order: Main Line: 989-317-8370 Toll Free: 877-367-6455 Orders (Novi): 800-572-5824 then dial 2 3 Fax in your order: 989-317-8372

ALFALFA HAYLAGE (EXCELLENT & FAIR GRADES) & CORN SILAGE. Please call 989-723-1886 or 989-277-1414.

Chemical, Sanitizer and Teat Dip Contacts

NEW KATOLIGHT PTO GENERATOR, 60 KW, keep everyone warm and producing if there is a power outage. Call Brent at 248-770-5122.

ECOLAB

SEED CORN - "Minnesota 13" Open Pollinated 85 Day Yellow Field Corn Seed. High Protein, High Yield, High Fat, Fast Drydown. Great Digestibility! 80,000 graded seeds $100.00 JanksSeeds.com 989-284-5052

These are SERVICE personnel only. Order your supplies through your hauler.

24-Hour Medical Emergency Hotline: 1-800-328-0026 Service Message Center: 1-800-392-3392 Service Representatives: » Pat Mitchell – 517-403-0928 - 7273 N. Rollin Hwy., Addison, MI 49220 » Jason Wolfe – 540-553-5755 - 1890 Canter Drive, Riner, VA 24149

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MMPA STAFF

MMPA Field Staff

Novi Headquarters

Ben Chapin, Remus, Member Services Director................ 989-289-0731

Main Office Local line..............................................................................248-474-6672

Steve Lehman, Ithaca, Raw Milk Compliance.............................989-330-1638 Doug Soehnlen, Member/Superior Supply Representative.....330-575-4643 Christy Dinsmoore, Vassar, Supervisor............................248-513-7920 Dustin Hooks, Ossineke, MI.........................................................269-245-6632 Carley VanNorman, Ruth, MI...................................................... 248-826-6294 Chelsea Smith, Falmouth, MI........................................................231-519-2455 Brandon Ewers, Coldwater..........................................................231-414-4539 Emily Patton, Eagle.....................................................................248-880-3785 Sarah Michalek, Lansing, Sustainability Supervisor.......... 248-305-0537 Rachel Brown, Charlotte, Sustainability Coordinator............... 248-826-7243 Alyssa Stace, Elkhart, IN, Animal Care/Sustainability................ 269-967-7351 Deb Gingrich, Leroy, Animal Care/Sustainability......................248-520-3580 Lindsay Green, East Lansing, Animal Care /Sustainability ......989-488-8159 Joe Packard, Manchester, Animal Care...................................... 248-520-3481

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

Chief Corporate Affairs Officer Sheila Burkhardt...........................................................................ext. 208 Chief Operations and Business Development Officer Greg Soehnlen................................................................................ext. 341 Director of Business Development Brad Parks......................................................................................ext. 341 Laboratory Supervisor Teresa Farmer................................................................................ ext. 219 Quality Sudeep Jain...................................................................................ext. 305 Member Services Emily Keranen...............................................................................ext. 203 Human Resources Kelly Kerrigan................................................................................ ext. 301

MMPA Labs

Retail Sales Judy Lofgren................................................................................. ext. 333

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

Commodity Sales Molly Costaris................................................................................ext. 209

In Michigan...........................................................................800-572-5824 Toll Free............................................................................... 800-233-2405 Ovid (Daily, 6 a.m.-10 p.m.).......................................... 989-834-2515 Constantine (Daily, 7 a.m.-10 p.m.)...............................800-391-7560

Communications Emily Kittendorf............................................................................ext. 234 Corporate Controller Jeannie Strain................................................................................ext. 312 Member Relations Jessica Welch................................................................................ext. 303

Farm Supply - Mt. Pleasant Supervisor: Katie Pierson, Mt. Pleasant Main Line..............................................................................989-317-8370 Toll Free............................................................................... 877-367-6455

Manufacturing Plants Canton, Ohio Chris Soehnlen, Plant Manager..............................................330-477-4515

Fax........................................................................................989-317-8372

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

Farm Supply Sales Representative

Ovid, Michigan Glen Kienitz, Plant Manager................................................. 989-834-2221

Orders (Novi)..................................................... 800-572-5824, then dial 2

Jake Riley, Mt. Pleasant............................................................... 248-912-5070 John Lehman, Elsie, Bulk Tank Calibration................................248-444-6775

Middlebury Cheese Company, Middlebury, Indiana Plant Manager........................................................................ 574-825-9511

If you are unable to reach your assigned member representative, please contact the representatives listed in .your area. Your assigned member representative is listed on your quality statements or can be found by visiting mimilk.com/contact/field-staff and searching by your producer number.

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milk messenger / JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024

Board of Directors

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

Officers Doug Chapin, Board Chairman Tony Jandernoa Board Vice Chairman Eric Frahm, Treasurer Joe Diglio, President and CEO Sheila Burkhardt, Secretary Greg Soehnlen, COO Todd Hoppe, General Counsel

Directors-At-Large Carlton Evans, Litchfield, MI (District 1) 517-398-0629 Aaron Gasper, Lowell, MI 616-291-4092 Kurt Steiner, Creston, OH (District 1) 330-464-1219 Bruce Benthem, McBain, MI 231-920-1615 Kris Wardin, St. Johns, MI 989-640-9420

District Directors 2

Brian DeMann Martin, MI 269-720-7637 2 Brian Preston Quincy, MI 517-376-1350 3 Doug Chapin Remus, MI 231-349-4059 3 Bill Stakenas Free Soil, MI 231-425-6913 4 Eric Frahm Frankenmuth, MI 989-652-3552 4 Corby Werth Alpena, MI 989-464-5436 5 Tony Jandernoa Fowler, MI 989-593-22245 5 Scott Lamb Jeddo, MI 810-327-6135

MEMBER MOMENT

Submit your Member Moment to messenger@mimilk.com

In winter’s hush, the farm lies still, a tapestry of snow on every hill.

Freestall barns with roofs adorned, icicles like crystals, gracefully formed.

Dairy whispers in the frosty air, cows snug in stalls, with gentle care.

A cold embrace, winter’s gentle trace, graceful touch on the dairy’s quiet space.

PHOTO BY: BRYCE FRAHM, REESE, MICHIGAN

milk messenger / JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024

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P.O. Box 8002 Novi, MI 48376

All MMPA members are invited to attend our

Wednesday, March 20 Suburban Collection Showplace Center, Novi, MI Registration information and meeting details will be mailed to all MMPA members closer to the meeting date.