Michigan Milk Messenger: December 2014

Messenger www.mimilk.comVol. 97 Issue 6DeCeMBeR 2014

Local Meetings • NDB/UDIA/NMPF MeetingInside

Michigan Milk

The official publication of Michigan Milk Producers Association

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EDITOR’S LETTER

MMPA Matters MMPA Poised to Face

2015 Challenges

Quality Watch Merchandise Warehouse and

Field Offices Have Moved!

News & Views

2014-2015 Local Meetings

FEATURES NDB/UDIA/NMPF Joint Annual Meeting Partners in Progress

Head, Heart, Hands, Husband

2014 MMPA District 11 OYDC Steve & Danielle Berens

Creating a World of Opportunities

2014 NMPF Young Cooperators Conference

Milk is a Liquid Asset Don’t Dump it

Down the Drain! MMPA Milker Training Schools

contentsMichigan Milk Messenger

Managing Editor ......................................................Sheila BurkhardtEditor .....................................................................Alex SchnabelrauchAdvertising Manager ...........................................Nancy MuszynskiCirculation .........................................................................................2,972

An Equal Opportunity Employer – F/M/V/D

Michigan Milk Messenger (USPS 345-320) is the official publication of Michigan Milk Producers Association,published monthly since June 1919. Subscriptions: MPA members, 50¢ per year; non-members, $5 per year.

41310 Bridge Street Telephone: 248-474-6672P.O. Box 8002 FAX: 248-474-0924Novi, MI 48376-8002 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)

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Movin’ On Up 2014 MMPA District 12 OYDC

Matt & Emily Grams

Agriculture Economic Impact

Food, Agriculture Industry Surpasses $100 Billion

2014-2015 MMPA Local Officers

MSU CANR College Hits 40-Year

Enrollment High

Board of DirectorsOfficers

Ken Nobis, President

Bob Kran, Vice President

Mark Halbert, Treasurer

Joe Diglio, General Manager/ Secretary, Assistant Treasurer

Todd Hoppe, General Counsel

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

District Directors1. Hank Choate, Cement City ...............................................................517-529-9032 2. Tim Hood, Paw Paw ...........................................................................269-657-57713. Bob Kran, Free Soil .............................................................................231-464-58894. John Kronemeyer, Pickford ..............................................................906-647-76385. Brent Wilson, Carson City .................................................................989-584-34816. Tony Jandernoa, Fowler ....................................................................989-593-22247. Eric Frahm, Frankenmuth .................................................................989-652-35528. Leonard Brown, Sandusky ...............................................................810-648-4505

Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA)

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

As winter approaches and

the holiday season nears,

we wish all our members

and friends a season filled

with peace and happiness.

Merry Christmas!

CoverDepartments32 Merchandise

33 Quality Premiums

34 Freeliners

36 Classifieds

37 Policies

38 Market Report

39 Staff

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22Michigan’s food and agriculture system has surpassed itseconomic impact goal of$100 billion.

byKen Nobis President

It feels as though I can almost

reach out and touch the

New Year as the calendar

rolls around to December.

Some years I can’t wait for

a new beginning, and other

years I just want to savor

the past. This year I am

somewhat conflicted.

I didn’t really enjoy last winter – too severe – although forecasts suggest I should maybe get used to the idea. The summer didn’t meet my expectations either. Some like it hot, and I’m one of them. But the cows would disagree. I should probably go along with them, since they pay the bills.

While I didn’t like the weather, I definitely enjoyed the level of mild summer milk production. It was nice to see high levels of production coincide with record milk prices. Although milk prices might not return to that level soon, I think we can count on milk production continuing to increase in our membership area.

Continuing growth in production means our co-op will need to grow opportunities to accommodate the increased volumes coming from our member farms. We have already moved forward to increase manufacturing capacity at our own plants as well as the volumes processed by new customers at plants other than those we own. The high quality milk produced by our members greatly aids in our ongoing search for new customers. But there still will be challenges.

MMPA members aren’t the only producers in our membership area expanding milk production. The production growth will, from time to time, tax the manufacturing capabilities of MMPA and others which can interfere with the movement of milk and necessitate adept management to prevent disruptions in the marketplace. MMPA has been able to adapt to the situation when it has happened in the past, handling the increased volumes through our own plants with minor disruptions for short periods of time. We strive to avoid any disruptions, of course, but that is difficult when production is increasing and processing capacity is limited.

Growing pains that result from increased volumes of milk are inevitable, but I think MMPA is well suited to take advantage of the growth we are experiencing in our membership area. MMPA is financially strong with a well-balanced product portfolio. We have a piece of the fluid, butter, powder and cheese markets. We would like the fluid market to be larger, but the reality is the fluid market is shrinking with no apparent turn-around on the horizon. We routinely evaluate other uses for our product and look to the next best thing.

We have made good decisions in recent years that are paying off now and will continue to pay into the future. For example, we have expanded butter production capabilities at a time when butter is experiencing a massive resurgence

MMPA Poised to Face2015 Challenges

in popularity. We have a world class dryer capable of producing powder products that meet the exact specifications of customers around the globe. We are moving forward in cooperation with another co-op, Foremost Farms, to expand our Constantine plant in a manner that will benefit members of both co-ops. Collaborations such as this are vital to our members.

MMPA is sized right for this environment of fast-paced change in the milk industry when agility matters. The ability to meet the customers’ demands rapidly is very important. We start with the foundation that comes from having the highest quality milk coming off of our farms, and then our staff members apply their talent and skills to build on that foundation to obtain the best returns possible for our member owners.

While I might be in conflict about leaving 2014, I’m not conflicted about what I see ahead for MMPA. I think the building blocks are all there for success in 2015 and the years beyond. We will continue to strive to be even better than we have been in the past as we fulfill our mission to “market our members’ milk to the greatest advantage possible.” Hang on; I think it is going to be an experience you won’t want to miss.

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MMPA MATTERS

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QUALITY WATch

As most of our members

are aware, our merchandise

warehouse and field offices

have relocated. There is

an old song titled “North

to Alaska.” Well, we did

go north, but not quite that

far. We headed 20 miles

north from St. Louis to Mt.

Pleasant on September 11.

While letters have been sent and the move was mentioned in last month’s Messenger, we wanted to let everyone know exactly why we moved and what led us to this location.

The big question has been, why not remain in the St. Louis area?

Well, we required a considerable amount of warehouse space as well as office space for both our merchandise and field departments. In addition to space, we also required easy access to the highway and the main roads.

With these needs in mind, we started our search in St. Louis. When that proved fruitless, we expanded our search to a 50-mile radius. We discovered there were not many buildings that met our criteria within this search area and certainly none in St. Louis. There was one building that did meet our needs, and it was located at 1996 Gover Parkway in Mt. Pleasant.

So the next question is, why move at all? What prompted the decision to move lock, stock and barrel from a seemingly perfect location?

Merchandise Warehouse and Field Offices have Moved!

The simple answer is we needed more space. We had several discussions with our former leaseholder in regards to expansion, and they made it clear they were unwilling to make the necessary investment. There were also several structural items, including roof replacement, which badly needed to be addressed. In addition, there were several electrical and plumbing upgrades needed to allow us to plan for the future. Again, our leaseholder was unwilling to respond to these concerns.

Because the location was so attractive, we asked if the building was available for purchase, allowing us to make the needed improvements ourselves. The owners made it clear they had no interest in selling at any price. So, after all this discussion, we loaded up our trucks and moved to Mt. Pleasant.

Moving even a household can be a daunting task, let alone a field office full of furniture and a warehouse full of merchandise. We were fortunate to have not only our dedicated warehouse staff, but several of our hardworking member representatives participate in this move.

With the help of this hardworking crew, we completed the move in just two days! The warehouse closed on Thursday, September 11 and Friday, September 12 to make the move. We reopened on Monday, September 15 and resumed normal operations. I cannot express my thanks enough to this hardworking crew of “professional” movers. It would have been an impossible task without them.

While we are asking the questions, where and why, we should also ask the question “what?” As in, what does this move allow us to do in the future?

This move not only gives us some much needed space, it allows us to bring in some new technology to better serve our members. The new technology I’m referring to is the M1 teat dip mixing system from Ecolab. This system, when installed, will allow us to mix both iodine and non-iodine dips from concentrate using our own water supply. This should ultimately result in lower costs for our members. We plan to have this system installed by March 2015.

In addition to our Merchandise Department, the Mt. Pleasant location will house our Northeast and Northwest Area Field Offices. We will have plenty of room for our field staff to hold informational and training sessions at this new location. The larger space also allows us to create a hands-on training module which will help our representatives better diagnose performance and cleaning issues on members’ farms.

If you find yourself in the Mt. Pleasant area for any reason, please feel free to pay us a visit. We would be very happy to give a personalized tour of the new facility. As always, please contact us with any merchandise or move-related questions.

Main line: 989-317-8370

Toll free: 877-367-6455

Fax: 989-317-8372

byDuane Farmer Merchandise Supervisor

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NEWS & vIEWS

U.S. Cow Numbers, Production on the Rise

The USDA announced October’s Class III milk price is $23.82 per hundredweight, down 78 cents from September’s record price, but $5.60 above October 2013. For the year, the Class III price has averaged $22.83. The Class IV price in October is $21.35, $1.23 lower than last month’s price, but $1.37 above October 2013.

September 2014 national milk production rose 4 percent from last year, one of the highest annual increases in recent years. U.S. milk cow numbers were an estimated 9.267 million head, 2,000 more than August 2014, and 59,000 more than September 2013.

Pour it Forward Campaign Continues Until Dec. 16

As milk is the most requested item by food banks across the nation, Michigan Kroger stores, in cooperation with the United Dairy Industry of Michigan, will encourage customers to donate a gallon of milk to a local family in need. Expanded from last year, the “Pour it Forward” campaign’s goal is to donate 50,000 gallons of milk during the Nov. 5to Dec. 16 campaign. Promote thecampaign and support your neighbors at Kroger as the holiday season approaches.

Wardin Named USFRA Face of Farming and Ranching

The U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) announced that Carla Wardin – MMPA member, Dairy Communicator and 2012 OYDC – was selected as one of five winners in the Faces of Farming & Ranching program. Erin Brenneman (Iowa), Darrell Glaser (Texas), Jay Hill (New Mexico) and Thomas Titus (Illinois) were also named winners. The group will be tapped to share stories and experiences on a national stage to help shift conversations about food production and set the record straight about the way we feed our nation.

Applications were received from dedicated farmers and ranchers from across the nation, eight of whom were selected as finalists. Consumers, farmers and ranchers were asked to vote online for whom they believed best represented those across the country who work to bring food to the table. These votes were factored into the final decision to determine the Faces of Farming & Ranching. In addition to the public vote, a panel of judges interviewed and evaluated the finalists.

Winners will share their stories and experiences about how food is grown and raised in the U.S. on a national stage through media interviews, consumer-facing public appearances and events. This is the second time USFRA has sought farmers and ranchers to speak on behalf of the industry in this capacity.

Agriculture Commission and MDARD Seek Public Input on Agricultural Management Practices

The Michigan Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) announced a public input meeting and review period has been scheduled for December 12, 2014 in order to gather comments on the 2015 drafts of the state’s Generally Accepted Agricultural and Management Practices (GAAMPs).

Public comment will be taken on all of the following GAAMPs. There are proposed changes in the GAAMPs for: Manure Management and Utilization, the Care of Farm Animals and Site Selection and Odor Control for New and Expanding Livestock Facilities. The GAAMPs regarding Pesticide Utilization and Pest Control, Farm Markets, Nutrient Utilization, Cranberry Production and Irrigation Water Use have no proposed changes for 2015.

The GAAMPs public input meeting will be held at 9 a.m. on Friday, December 12, 2014 in the Lake Superior Conference Room at the State of Michigan Library and Historical Center located at 702 West Kalamazoo Street, Lansing, Michigan.

Written comments may be submitted to MDARD’s Environmental Stewardship Division, P.O. Box 30017, Lansing, MI 48909 and postmarked no later than December 12, 2014, or sent via email to [email protected] by 5 p.m. on December 12, 2014. MDARD will forward all comments received by the due date to the respective GAAMPs Task Force Committee Chairpersons for consideration prior to final review and adoption.

Upcoming Dates

DecemberLocal Meetings Begin…

18 Advisory Committee Meeting, Novi

January

Local Meetings Continue…

http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELPRDC5109751&acct=dmktord

http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELPRDC5109751&acct=dmktord

http://www.usda.gov/nass/PUBS/TODAYRPT/mkpr1014.pdf

http://www.usda.gov/nass/PUBS/TODAYRPT/mkpr1014.pdf

mailto:[email protected]

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A Tribute to Frank LipinskiFrank Lipinski, past MMPA board member, passed away in October at the age of 79. With heavy hearts, we say goodbye to one of our influential past leaders with 23 distinguished years of service on our board of directors.

MMPA President Ken Nobis says, “Frank was an exemplary MMPA board member who took his duties very seriously. His decisions were always well thought out, putting the best interest of the membership first. I also always appreciated Frank’s quick wit and gift for using humor so effectively, and we are all grateful for his lifetime of service to our cooperative and the industry.”

Producers Scoring 95% or more on Grade A Surveys and Federal Check Ratings

October/November 2014

Gary/Teresa Palosaari Jacob Jahfetson *Keranen Farms LLC Elizabeth/Galen VanDrese Angela Drayton Richlo Dairy Farms D & B Dairy Farm Inc *Barron Farms Furlong Creek FarmJames / Connie Seefeldt * *100 percent

MMPA and Land O’Lakes present...

Calf Care SchoolsFebruary 10 Agro-Culture liquid Fertilizer Headquarters, st. Johns (spanish)

February 11 Greenstone Farm Credit services Headquarters, lansing

February 12 Heritage Hall, Coldwater

Contact Marianne Gasiewski at the Novi office (880-572-5824, ext. 215)

to register. A $10/person registration fee will be deducted from your

milk check and will help defray the cost of lunch. Class size is limited to

30, so reserve your spot early!

FrANk “Fritz” LipiNSki

Frank “Fritz” Lipinski, age 79, of Buckley, passed away on Oct. 14, 2014.

He was the husband of Carol; brother of Kathy (James) Perkins of Pleasant Valley, Arizona; brother-in-law of

Martha Hays of Traverse City; and uncle of Cynthia (Erik) Pearson of Nampa, Idaho, Thomas (Rebecca) Hays of

Buffalo, Wyoming and Jacob Elsenheimer of Traverse City. Fritz welcomed several exchange students into his

home: Hans, Gert, Mats and Styx.

He was a graduate of Michigan State University agricultural short courses and served in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Frank was a good farmer, neighbor, friend and a positive voice for agriculture.

Frank was a member of the Michigan Milk Producers Association, Michigan Corn Growers Association and

many other related organizations. He was awarded the 1982 MSU Dairyman of the Year, 1987 Farm Bureau

Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award, Lifetime Achievement Award from Michigan Forage Council,

Dedicated Service Award from MMPA and UDIA and Friend of Corn Award from MCGA. In 2012 Frank was

honored by being added to the distinguished list of Master Farmers.

Frank “Fritz” Lipinski

TOGETHERTOWARDTOMORROW

MICHIGAN MILK PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION

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2014-2015 Local Meetings

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

LOcAL DAte LOcAtiON time

Barry-Eaton/Lansing Saturday, Dec. 6 Grace Community Church, Nashville Noon

Kalamazoo Tuesday, Dec. 9 Old Country Buffet, Kalamazoo 11:30 a.m.

Upstate Tuesday, Dec. 9 Ellsworth Christian Reformed Church, Ellsworth 11:00 a.m.

U.P. West Central Wednesday, Dec. 10 Home Base Restaurant, Schaffer Noon

Sunrise Wednesday, Dec. 10 Klacking Township Hall, West Branch 11:45 a.m.

Chippewa Thursday, Dec. 11 Rudyard Christian Reformed Church, Rudyard Noon

Flint/Livingston Charter/Owosso Wednesday, Jan. 7 Gigi’s Banquet Center, Corunna Noon

Grand Rapids Wednesday, Jan. 7 Golden Corral Buffet, Walker Noon

Dairyland Thursday, Jan. 8 Bloomer Twp. Hall, Carson City Noon

Mid-Michigan Thursday, Jan. 8 Agro Liquid headquarters, St. Johns 11:45 a.m.

Alma Friday, Jan. 9 Maxfield’s Restaurant, Wyman 11:30 a.m.

Hillman Friday, Jan. 9 Hillman Community Center, Hillman 11:30 a.m.

Constantine Saturday, Jan. 10 Siloam Fellowship, Goshen, IN 10:30 a.m.

Huron Saturday, Jan. 10 Franklin Inn, Bad Axe 11:30 a.m.

Deford/Clifford-Mayville Monday, Jan. 12 Lizzy’s American Diner, Caro Noon

Adrian Tuesday, Jan. 13 Rome Grange Hall, Adrian Noon

Frankenmuth Tuesday, Jan.13 Sullivan’s Black Forest Restaurant, Frankenmuth Noon

Ingham County TBA

Mid-Thumb Wednesday, Jan. 14

West Michigan TBA

Evart Thursday, Jan. 15 Rehoboth Reformed Church, McBain 11:00 a.m.

Muskegon Thursday, Jan. 15 Russ’ Banquet Room, Muskegon 11:30 a.m.

Clare-Mt. Pleasant Friday, Jan. 16 Clare Church of Nazarene, Clare 11:00 a.m.

Jackson County Plus TBA

Mid-Sanilac TBA

Hillsdale-Litchfield TBA

Blossomland Friday, January 23 Zeke’s Restaurant, Dowagiac Noon

Saline-Ann Arbor Tuesday, Jan. 27 Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds, Ann Arbor Noon

NDB/UDIA/NMPF Joint Annual Meeting: Partners in Progress

The 2014 joint annual meeting of the National Dairy Promotion and

Research Board (NDB), United Dairy Industry Association (UDIA) and National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) was held in Grapevine, Texas Oct. 27-29. Dairy producers, member cooperatives, Young Cooperators (YCs), industry representatives, staff and others from all over the country gathered for a few days of speeches, reports, banquets, general sessions, town hall meetings and award ceremonies.

During the meeting, NMPF welcomed four new dairy cooperative members, two new board members and one new board officer. The NMPF also voted to require each dairy marketing organization participating in the organization’s animal care program

Also at the meeting, guest speaker Tom Vilsack, the U.S. Agriculture Secretary told attendees that the USDA is extending by one week the deadline for farmers to enroll in the new Margin Protection Program. The previous deadline, November 28, will be moved back to Friday, December 5, to ensure that dairy producers have time after the Thanksgiving weekend to sign up for the new dairy safety net.

With major reform of the federal dairy safety net now complete, the leadership of NMPF pledged to step up efforts on other key issues, including the fight for meaningful immigration reform and opening more foreign markets to U.S. dairy products.

The incoming 2015 Young Cooperator council elected its leadership for the upcoming year. Brian and Carrie Preston, Michigan Milk Producers Association, were chosen to serve as the YC chaircouple. Tommy and Anna Watkins, Southeast Milk, will serve as the vice chaircouple, and Donald and Bernadette Harwood, Upstate Niagara Cooperative, will be the secretary couple.

to enroll all its farmer-suppliers to ensure full participation in the National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program.

Board Chairman Randy Mooney said, “It’s frustrating to hear a small, but vocal minority of critics attack dairy farmers and paint a twisted and false image of the care we provide our animals.”

President and CEO Jim Mulhern noted that conscientious animal care is not just morally and ethically right, but also good business, since healthy cows produce more milk. “But it is clear in this age of social media and the Internet that we’re past the point where we can ask people just to take our word that we are providing proper care,” he said.

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Great Lakes Regional Dairy Conference

www.glrdc.msu.edu

February 5–7, 2015Bavarian Inn and Conference Center • Frankenmuth, Michigan

Early registration ends January 16!

NMPF First Vice Chair Ken Nobis, Chairman Randy Mooney and President and CEO Jim Mulhern (left to right) address member cooperatives during the NMPF delegate meeting in Grapevine, Texas.

http://www.futurefordairy.com/

January 28 - 29, 2015Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort

Mt. Pleasant, MI

Great Lakes Crop Summit

Agronomist Ken FerrieEvelyn Browning-Garriss, The Weather Whisperer

Dr. Mike Boehlje, Purdue University

Industry representatives and university researchers from

seven Midwestern states

Attendees can earn the following credits:12 RUP recertification credits (6 each day)

13.5 CCA credits for full attendance (NM 2.5, SW 4, PM 2, CM 3, PD 2)

1 MAEAP credit

Those needing to recertify by exam will have the opportunity to take the RUP test on

Thursday, January 29.

Featured Speakers:

Registration and a full schedule are available online at

www.GreatLakesCropSummit.com or call the Michigan Corn office at

(517) 668-2676 for more info.

Certifications:

Bring your employees and farm partners to get the most out of the trade show and more than 30 concurrent educational sessions

on corn, soybean and wheat issues!

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Head, Heart, Hands, Husband2014 MMPA District 11 OYDC Steve and Danielle BerensWhen Danielle Berens joined the local 4-H exchange club at 14, she had no intention of exchanging her last name. But when she met Steve on one of the group’s trips, young love turned into four years of dating and a pair of “I do’s.”

“I did not ever plan on farming,” Danielle admits. “But when I married Steve, we decided to follow his dream and get into the hog business. What we didn’t realize was how hard it was to startup a farm from scratch. So when the opportunity to join my parents on the family operation came around, we decided dairy might be our calling after all.”

Twenty years, two kids and 168 cows later, the duo has helped transform Huff Farms to Heritage Farms LLC. And looking back, they wouldn’t change a thing.

Caution: Construction Ahead

When the Berens joined Danielle’s parents (and brother at the time) on the farm in 1995, their herd numbered 40 head. However, to accommodate the addition of ownership and provide for multiple families, expansion was on the brain from day one.

“We came back to a farm that had already seen its share of wear and tear. Our setup and systems were incredibly inefficient when we started out, and we’ve been working to get things caught up ever since,” Steve says.

Over their nearly two decades as an LLC, the Berens and Huffs put in a double-6 step-up parlor and feed bins, built a freestall barn, manure pit, bunker silo, dry cow barn and two hoop barns and transformed a grainary into a shop.

Most recently, the Berens modernized their previous updates, constructing a new double-12 parallel parlor in the farm’s old shop. “We’ve helped invest in the equipment, land and facilities needed to quadruple the herd while increasing our ownership in the LLC,”

Danielle explains. “We’ve managed to balance the workload and improve on the foundation my parents built from the start.”

Quality from the Calf Up

Even operating in a seemingly never-ending construction zone, the Berens’ office walls are proof the farm hasn’t prioritized quantity over quality. As their herd size quadrupled over the course of 20 years, the Berens’ somatic cell count shrank by half. Consistently achieving test results under 100,000 cells/mL, Heritage Farms earned its 15-Star Quality Award last year and will receive an MMPA Gold Quality Award during the upcoming local meeting season.

“MMPA Milker Training School has helped us a lot,” Steve explains. “MTS emphasized the importance of setting up a routine, maximizing letdown through appropriate timing, keeping things consistent and vigilantly cleaning the teat ends. We’ve seen the real impact of those changes in our bulk tank and on our balance sheet. The techniques have helped us produce higher quality milk.”

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Steve and Danielle BerensDistrict 11 OYDC | West Michigan Local

children: Heather (18) and Justin (15)

Herd Size: 168 milking, 30 dry

replacements: 150

Acres Farmed: 475

crops Grown: Alfalfa, corn, soybeans

milking regiment: Two-a-day milking in a double-12 parallel parlor

Sustainable practices: Grid sample acreage, variable rate fertilizer application, variable rate transfer and vacuum pump

Breeding program: AI, clean-up bull with heifers

education: Steve and Danielle graduated from Hamilton and Hopkins high schools, respectively, in 1993. Steve earned a two-year certificate in agribusiness from the Michigan State University Institute of Agriculture Technology in 1995.

certifications/training: MMPA Milker Training School, National Dairy FARM Program

Ag, Dairy and community involvement: Steve and Danielle are both administrative leaders of their local 4-H club and active in the Hopkins FFA Alumni. Steve is on the MMPA West Michigan Local, Allegan County Farm Bureau and Diamond Springs Westland Church boards. Danielle serves as historian of the Hopkins FFA Alumni and on the Allegan Farm Bureau Promotion and Education Committee.

Yet, the Berens’ quality improvements don’t just start and end in the parlor. Prior to last winter, calves received 2 quarts of milk two times a day. In February, the family installed an ID-TEK automatic calf feeder in their old milking barn, offering the calves up to 8 quarts of milk in a 24-hour period.

“I knew something big was happening when the vet asked if we had started vaccinating calves later,” Steve smiles.“Our calves are growing faster and getting bigger than ever. The automatic feeder has cut our calf feeding time while helping us jumpstart the youngest members of our herd.”

All in the FamilyWhile the Berens don’t operate the largest dairy farm in the state, they pride themselves on keeping their operation running with only one part-time, non-family employee. “My brother, Randy, is our herdsmen and our kids, niece and nephew work for us part-time,” Steve says.

Danielle adds, “Even at 76, my dad still helps make major farm decisions, milks every morning and drives the truck when we’re chopping corn silage. This has and always will be a family business.”

Despite the fact Danielle never thought she wanted to return to the family farm, her and Steve’s biggest focus is now making sure the next generation has the same opportunity afforded to the 4-H newlyweds back in 1995.

“We’re not ready to retire, and both our kids have an interest in the farm. So we are making the necessary improvements now to ensure our kids have a chance to start off farming with a more efficient setup,” Danielle says. “That’s was Heritage farms is all about.”

Steve and Danielle Berens (at left) helped grow the family dairy herd from 40 to 168 cows since returning to Heritage Farms LLC in Wayland. From milking to feeding, the farm employs only one non-family employee.

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Creating a World of Opportunities2014 NMPF Young Cooperators Conference

By Brian and Carrie Preston, 2014 MMPA oYDC

T hey say everything is bigger in Texas and this year’s OYDC contingent experienced all things Texas at the National Milk Producers Federation’s

(NMPF) Young Cooperator (YC) Conference in Grapevine. We joined 2013 OYDC Mike and Jordan Noll and 2014 OYDC Runners-up Ken and Kristen Sparks to represent MMPA. YCs representing NMPF member co-ops gathered to learn more about NMPF’s activities, improve our skills as dairy advocates and make new friends.

The first day’s activities focused on the latter. All the YC’s had a chance to socialize and get to know each other. We explored the Ft. Worth Stockyards and enjoyed a great steakhouse in an original stockyards-era hotel.

Monday started with a presentation from Dr. David Kohl, dairy producer and Virginia Tech economics professor. He presented an exciting outlook for the dairy industry. The analogy that sticks out in my mind is when he spoke of the super cycle we are experiencing in agriculture. In terms of this cycle, corn and soybeans are in the seventh or eighth inning of the up-cycle while dairy and protein sectors are closer to the third or fourth innings. This is a unique opportunity to build the strength of our balance sheets and prepare for the next downturn.

If you’ve heard of Dairy Carrie, you’re obviously up to dateon #dairypromotion and #socialmedia. Carrie Mess shared her experiences using social media and encouragedus to promote the dairy industry and our dairy farmlifestyle online. Next up was Dairy Management Inc.’sDon Schindler, social media trainer and digital strategist, who helped the YCs set up Twitter accounts and begin dairy conversations in their social circles.

After lunch, our program resumed with a farm crisis producer panel. Four producers shared their personal crisis experiences including an immigration audit/raid, a very public manure spill running through a local golf course, a PETA undercover video and an employee death after an accident with a bull. We do dangerous work with a wide range of risks. I’m convinced it’s impossible to be prepared for everything, but we do all need to have an emergency preparedness plan. The panelists shared valuable information with attendees all farms should think through to be prepared for the unthinkable.

The next session was equally shocking, but from an entirely different perspective. Several Dallas-area consumers joined us for a consumer panel, answering questions about their buying habits and views concerning

MMPA’s OYDC contingent learned about NMPF’s activities, improved their skills as dairy advocates and networked with young farmers from across the country during the NMPF YC Conference held in Grapevine, Texas. Pictured above: front (left to right) Jordan Noll, Kristen Sparks and Carrie Preston and back (left to right) Mike Noll, Ken Sparks and Brian Preston.

dairy. It was eye opening to see how little the general public knows about getting food from farm to table. It’s interesting that many of the moms/dads cited their pediatrician as the most trusted source of nutrition information. Each of them had been told low-fat dairy products were best, hormones in food were responsible for early development in adolescents and a few of the panelists had been advised to buy organic food whenever possible.

The president of Dean Foods addressed the group regarding his vision for fluid milk and how we can partner to reverse declining consumption. In his view, revisiting the labeling laws regarding fluid milk is crucial to compete with soy, almond and rice “milk” while providing the benefits found only in the real thing.

After the conference, we have a new appreciation for NMPF. One of the reasons we belong to MMPA is for greater bargaining power in the marketplace and legislatively. Belonging to a co-op that participates in and provides leadership for NMPF, we leverage our input in Washington and gain the bargaining power we desperately need to protect our businesses and preserve our dairying way of life.

We came home very excited about being dairy farmers and the outlook for our industry!

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Milk is a Liquid Asset – Don’t Dump it Down the Drain!By Christy Dinsmoore, Northwest Area supervisor, Mastitis Management specialist

Showcasing milking techniques that work for you.Recommended milking procedures are based on science and experience-proven data to help milk cows quickly, comfortably and with reduced chances of spreading mastitis pathogens cow-to-cow. We go a step further than talking about best milking procedures as attendees have a hands-on lab to put the knowledge to work. Following MTS practices will reduce chances of mastitis infections while also reducing the chances of high raw and PI bacteria counts and lowering coliform counts.

empowering your milking crew.Everyone on your farm who steps foot in the parlor will be empowered to milk cows with cow comfort and milk quality top-of-mind once they understand the importance of the procedures you ask them to follow. Having all milkers on the same page also helps them hold each other accountable. MTS helps all milkers understand and utilize the right milking procedures; no excuses!

Learning how to monitor milking routine success. Milking procedures must be the same day-in and day-out, 365 days a year. Managers not only need to be able to coach and retrain as necessary, but they need to be able to monitor milking performance when they are not able to observe every shift of milking. MTS discusses how managers can monitor bulk tank coliform counts for lapses in protocol, observe filter socks to gauge successful cleaning of teats and teat ends and identify and remove clinical mastitis cases from the milking string.

MMPA Milker Training

School (MTS) is 18 years

strong and able to help

you establish best milking

practices that will benefit

milk quality and reduce

mastitis infections on your

farm. If your employees

are looking for the “why”

behind your milking

procedures or your farm

is experiencing protocol

drift, this is the training

opportunity you and your

employees can’t miss!

Milker Training School Registration

____________________________________________________________________________________Name

_____________________________________________________________________________________Address

_____________________________________________________________________________________Telephone

_____________________________________________________________________________________Producer Permit Number

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Date & Location of Session Number of people attending

to register, complete and return this form to:MMPA Milker Training School, - Member Services Dept.P.O. Box 8002, Novi, MI 48376-8802

You may also register via phone or email. contact:Marianne Gasiewski at 248-474-6672 or [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

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In addition to its positive

impact on milk quality, MTS

also fulfills the National Dairy

FARM Program guidelines of

providing yearly training to

animal caretakers on your farm.

Each person completing the

training session will receive a

certificate of participation.

Mark your calendars and

sign-up for MTS today!

2015 Milker Training School Dates & LocationsRegistration: 9:30 a.m. Program: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.Lunch is provided

February 10 Osceola County Fairgrounds Evart

February 11 St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Hale

February 17 Shipshewana Event Center Shipshewana, Ind.

February 24 Kilpatrick United Brethren Church Woodland (English)

February 25 Kilpatrick United Brethren Church Woodland (Spanish)

march 24 Evergreen Township Hall Decker

April 29 Menominee County Extension Service Stephenson

April 30 Rudyard Christian Reformed Church Rudyard

• Monitors activity, eating time, rumination and temperature

• Saves time and money

• SensOor ear tag, no collars or batteries to change

• Easy installation – plug and play

• Solid state equipment with a five-year warranty

• The ONLY system to make locating cows on the alert list easy! Smartphone app identifies cows on the alert list as you walk behind them.

fErTiLiTY hEaLTh NuTriTiON

3-in-1 Technology to Monitor Cows 24/7

Talk to your area NorthStar Specialist or call 800.631.3510 to learn more.

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Known for its timber, tourism and deer, Matt saw the struggles of northern Lower Peninsula farmers battling Mother Nature firsthand while working for his parents’ custom harvesting business. Yet, when an empty dairy in Harrisville went up for rent in 2002, Matt took a leap of faith, loading up his 40 cows in St. Johns and relocating 180 miles northeast.

“Matt comes from a long line of dairy farmers, so his biggest struggle was adjusting to the challenges of farming up here,” Matt’s wife, Emily, smiles. “But for

me, this area has always been home. I remember smelling the previous owners spreading manure on Friday nights just a few miles down the road during high school football games. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought I’d end up married to a dairy farmer and actively involved in this farm. But I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

Embracing the Learning Curve

While affordable land costs and the vacant farm are what originally brought Matt to Alcona County, he learned quickly that dairying three

Movin’ On Up2014 MMPA District 12 OYDC Matt and Emily Grams

Growing up on a 500-cow dairy in St. Johns, Matt Grams thought Clinton County epitomized the classic definition of small and rural. It seemed like everyone knew their neighbors, waved to passing trucks and lived miles from the closest grocery store. That was until he traveled to Alcona County.

hours to the north was going to be a whole new ballgame.

“I had to plant shorter-day corn, account for lower yields and test my animals for TB. Since I started this business on my own, I didn’t have family to argue with about decisions. But I also didn’t have them around for advice. It was definitely a learning curve over the years,” Matt explains.

It appears the many years of patience and persistence are starting to pay off. What began as 140 cows with a 23,000-pound rolling herd average turned into 260 averaging 30,000 pounds. Over his 12 years on the Harrisville farm, Matt has transitioned from renter to owner, built a calf barn, hay barns, two heifer transition barns and a machinery storage building and expanded the freestall and dry cow barns to house his growing herd.

And buildings aren’t the only things that have changed. When Emily met Matt in 2009, she had no intention of being involved in the dairy. But after the couple wed in 2012, Emily took on the farm’s bookwork and employee scheduling, filling in wherever necessary. “We’re a team, managing our business and raising our family together,” Matt says.

Labor Pains

While many variables changed when Matt relocated to Harrisville, one challenge did not: labor. Without experienced family members close by to ask for help, the vast majority of the Grams’ labor force isn’t related by blood.

“We hire Emily’s dad and sister to help with calves, but we have nine non-family workers. We do have some long-time and experienced employees, but we struggle retaining milkers more than six months. Since there’s just the two of us, we can’t be everywhere monitoring everyone all the time,” Matt admits.

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Matt and Emily GramsDistrict 12 OYDC | Hillman Local

children: Allie (2) and Bickford (1)

Herd Size: 260 milking, 50 dry

replacements: 300

Acres Farmed: 1,000

crops Grown: Alfalfa, corn and wheat

milking regiment: Three-a-day milking in a double-12 parallel parlor

Sustainable practices: Cover crops planted to prevent nutrient loss, reclaimed plate cooler water, grassed waterways

Breeding program: AI, clean-up bull with heifers

education: Matt graduated from St. Johns High School in 1998 and spent a semester at Michigan State University studying engineering before returning to agriculture. Emily graduated from Alcona High School in 2005 and is a licensed cosmetologist.

certifications/training: MMPA Milker Training School, Calf Care School, National Dairy FARM Program

Ag, Dairy and community involvement: Matt and Emily are both actively involved in Young, Savvy and into Dairy (YSD), a group of young dairy farmers, employees and service providers who gather to learn, lead and network. The Grams occasionally host the YSD group at their farm. Matt also serves on the local DHI board.

To help combat employee turnover and ensure consistent, high-quality performance, the Grams have taken steps to improve their hiring process and employee retention. Every morning, Matt meets with employees to outline the day’s agenda, address any changes that need to be made and ensure everyone is on the same page.

In addition to having workers attend MMPA Milker Training School, a video camera in the parlor helps ensure employees stay on task and utilize the farm’s udder prep and milking procedure consistently. Recognizing milk quality is a result of farm-wide management, all employees receive a bonus if the farm’s somatic cell count is less than 100,000 cells/mL. This year, they received an MMPA Bronze Quality Award for consistent, high-quality milk production.

Looking Ahead

A young family with two little ones to plan and provide for, the Grams are looking full-speed ahead at the future.

“My favorite part of owning our own business is our kids get to be involved. When I go feed calves in the summer or help out in the parlor, the kids can come along. We get to watch them grow up,” Emily says.

Matt adds, “We are a larger dairy for this area, but we want to continue to expand so our kids will have the opportunity to come back to the farm. We have been continuously building and improving over the first 12 years I’ve operated this farm. We’re not going to stop now.”

Matt Grams (at left) shows one of his farm’s nine employees how to use a CMT paddle to diagnose mastitis infections. Moving from his family’s dairy in St. Johns to rent and eventually buy a farm in Harrisville, Matt and his wife, Emily, have managed to battle the elements and adjust to dairying “Up North.”

Governor Rick Snyder: Economic Impact of Food, Agriculture Industry Surpasses $100 Billion

Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), said.

The study was first conducted in2006 using 2004 data. Then, the food and agriculture system was determined to be valued at $60.1 billion. An interim estimate in 2009 showed an increase in value to $71.3 billion. In 2012, the study highlighted more growth, pegging it at $91.4 billion. The newest estimate shows the food and agriculture system continues on a consistent growth trend.

Chris Peterson, director of the MSU Product Center and the study’s lead investigator, said strong commodity and food prices, along with growing domestic and global demand, help drive the increase.

“The study includes direct and multiplier effects of numerous aspects of the agri-food system,” he explained.

“The impact of production agriculture alone is nearly $13.6 billion, or 13.4 percent of the overall total.”

The MSU Product Center produced the interim estimate at the request of MDARD. The last full report was issued in 2012 using 2010 data. Data from 2015 will be used to generate the next full report in 2017.

“Data from several different sources are used to create this report,” Peterson said. “Unfortunately, full data sets are only available every five years.”

The MSU Product Center provides university-wide assistance to help Michigan entrepreneurs develop and commercialize high-value, consumer–responsive products and businesses in the agriculture, food, natural resources and bio-processing sectors.

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Governor Rick Snyder recently announced Michigan’s food and agriculture system has

surpassed its economic impact goal of $100 billion.

According to an interim estimate by the Michigan State University Product Center, Michigan’s agri-food system has reached a total annual economic impact of $101.2 billion. Snyder has continually encouraged the industry to set its sights on topping the $100 billion mark.

“Michigan’s food and agriculture businesses have helped lay the foundation for our economic turnaround,” Snyder said. “They recognize the value of investing intheir communities and creating hometown jobs. Let’s keep this great momentum going. The future is exciting for this dynamic industry.”

“We are known for crop diversity as well as safe, high-quality products to meet growing global consumer demand. Michigan is well-poised to see increased development in the food and ag arena,” Jamie Clover Adams, director of the Michigan

“It’s a great time to be in food and agriculture. We are innovators, and the possibilities for career opportunities, new business creation and expansion are bountiful.”

—Jamie Clover Adams, director Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development

http://www.productcenter.msu.edu/

http://productcenter.msu.edu/

http://productcenter.msu.edu/

Michigan Food & Agriculture

When the study was first conducted using 2004 data, the food and agriculture system was valued at $60.1 billion.

The newest estimate shows that the Michigan food and agriculture system continues to be on the grow and has reached a value of

#COMEBACKSTATE#COMEBACKSTATE

Processing, wholesaling and retailing saw a 8.5% increase, underscoring Michigan is ripe with food and agriculture based business opportunity. Overall, the total food and agriculture industry has grown at a compound annual growth rate of 3.04%.

Michigan Food & Agriculture

ECONOMIC IMPACT

$101.2B I L L I O N

Value Added Activities

*According to an interim estimate from the Michigan State University (MSU) Product Center

Join the Conversation!

Michigan’s food and agriculture system has not only met its $100 billion goal, but has surpassed it. According to the Michigan State University Product Center, Michigan’s agri-food system has reached a total economic impact of $101.2 billion.

INVESTMENTSince 2011, Governor Snyder has shown a continued commitment to the food & agriculture industry through increased budget support. “Let’s keep this great momentum going. The future is exciting for this dynamic industry.”

FY 2012

$37.1Million

$30Million

$40.6Million

$45.9Million

FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015

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DID YOU KNOWBeef Safety Research

Product Enhancement Research

Identifies potential risks to beef safety and develops solutions to maintain a

safe beef supply for consumers

AdvertisingCreates all domestic consumer advertising –radio, print, outdoor and digital – to reinforce how beef is part of their everyday life

Channel MarketingDevelops all promotions, training and other programs to help promote beef in restaurants and grocery stores

Discovers new ways to improve beef quality, consistency and value, including

research focused on new cuts, taste, tenderness and carcass value

Industry InformationSafeguards the image of the beef industry by responding to, and correcting, misinformation about beef and sharing the beef production story

Nutrition ResearchFocuses on beef’s role in human nutrition as it relates to overall health and well-being

New Product DevelopmentWorks with industry leaders to

develop new beef products, plus shares beef recipes and cooking tips

*From the Cattlemen’s Beef Board budget

Public RelationsProactively shares positive beef

messages with consumers, health professionals and other

food influencers

Foreign MarketingProvides beef market development, promotion, research, consumer and industry information in more than 100 countries worldwide

MyBeefCheckoff.com #beef11:1Funded by the Beef Checkoff.

EVERY DOLLAR INVESTED* RETURNS $11.20?$

Urban consumers visit Michigan feedlot

The Michigan Beef Industry Commission (MBIC) partnered with Michigan State University Extension to welcome more than 2,400 people to a Breakfast on the Farm tour hosted by Uphaus Farms in Manchester. The Uphaus family operates a 1,000-head beef feedlot and grows corn, soybeans and wheat on 600 acres.

“Bringing consumers to a feedlot enhances the image of the beef industry and helps us connect with millennial parents,” said Cindy Hulings, MBIC Director of Promotions and Consumer Marketing. To illustrate the connection between farming and food, MBIC displayed

cuts of beef in a meat case. Using smart phones and tablets, staff demonstrated how to use the checkoff’s Interactive Butcher Counter to find information on choosing and preparing beef.

Exit survey results show the positive impact — 50% of attendees had not been on a modern beef farm in the past 20 years. And, 82% of attendees indicated a high or very high level of trust that beef farmers do the right thing when it comes to producing safe, wholesome food.

MBIC at work in retail and foodservice

MBIC partners with beef processors to help promote beef with retail and foodservice decision-makers in Michigan. MBIC worked with JBS at the Spartan Fresh Food Show in Grand Rapids; IBP at the Van Eerden Food Show in Lansing; and Davis Creek Meats at the Gordon Food Service Show in Grand Rapids to increase awareness of a new steak-cutting method called Beef Alternative Merchandising (BAM). The BAM cutting method capitalizes on the profitability of middle meats while creating even more satisfying eating experiences for consumers. In-market tests show strong consumer purchase interest in the new cuts and how BAM helps keep unit prices acceptable. A proven sales driver, BAM appeals to smaller households and health-conscious shoppers.

Beef and veal in the classroom

In Flint, MBIC staff recently shared facts about beef and veal production with Mott Community College meat fabrication students, who are training to be future food industry professionals.

MBIC staff Shawna TeVelde (left) and Cindy Hulings, (right), teach consumers about the Interactive Butcher Counter.

Get to know your checkoff.

Visit www.MIBEEF.org or call 517-347-0911Michigan Beef Industry Commission517-347-0911 • www.MIBEEF.org

Cindy Hulings, MBIC Director of Promotion and Consumer Marketing, at the 2014 Van Eerden Food Shows.

Holiday entertaining with beef

In preparation for the holiday season, MBIC provided a brochure containing holiday-focused beef recipes and posters to retailers.

YOUR CHECKOFF IN ACTION

CBB33090_2_Mich_ROI_Ad_1-2.indd 1 11/13/14 4:39 PM

DID YOU KNOWBeef Safety Research

Product Enhancement Research

Identifies potential risks to beef safety and develops solutions to maintain a

safe beef supply for consumers

AdvertisingCreates all domestic consumer advertising –radio, print, outdoor and digital – to reinforce how beef is part of their everyday life

Channel MarketingDevelops all promotions, training and other programs to help promote beef in restaurants and grocery stores

Discovers new ways to improve beef quality, consistency and value, including

research focused on new cuts, taste, tenderness and carcass value

Industry InformationSafeguards the image of the beef industry by responding to, and correcting, misinformation about beef and sharing the beef production story

Nutrition ResearchFocuses on beef’s role in human nutrition as it relates to overall health and well-being

New Product DevelopmentWorks with industry leaders to

develop new beef products, plus shares beef recipes and cooking tips

*From the Cattlemen’s Beef Board budget

Public RelationsProactively shares positive beef

messages with consumers, health professionals and other

food influencers

Foreign MarketingProvides beef market development, promotion, research, consumer and industry information in more than 100 countries worldwide

MyBeefCheckoff.com #beef11:1Funded by the Beef Checkoff.

EVERY DOLLAR INVESTED* RETURNS $11.20?$

Urban consumers visit Michigan feedlot

The Michigan Beef Industry Commission (MBIC) partnered with Michigan State University Extension to welcome more than 2,400 people to a Breakfast on the Farm tour hosted by Uphaus Farms in Manchester. The Uphaus family operates a 1,000-head beef feedlot and grows corn, soybeans and wheat on 600 acres.

“Bringing consumers to a feedlot enhances the image of the beef industry and helps us connect with millennial parents,” said Cindy Hulings, MBIC Director of Promotions and Consumer Marketing. To illustrate the connection between farming and food, MBIC displayed

cuts of beef in a meat case. Using smart phones and tablets, staff demonstrated how to use the checkoff’s Interactive Butcher Counter to find information on choosing and preparing beef.

Exit survey results show the positive impact — 50% of attendees had not been on a modern beef farm in the past 20 years. And, 82% of attendees indicated a high or very high level of trust that beef farmers do the right thing when it comes to producing safe, wholesome food.

MBIC at work in retail and foodservice

MBIC partners with beef processors to help promote beef with retail and foodservice decision-makers in Michigan. MBIC worked with JBS at the Spartan Fresh Food Show in Grand Rapids; IBP at the Van Eerden Food Show in Lansing; and Davis Creek Meats at the Gordon Food Service Show in Grand Rapids to increase awareness of a new steak-cutting method called Beef Alternative Merchandising (BAM). The BAM cutting method capitalizes on the profitability of middle meats while creating even more satisfying eating experiences for consumers. In-market tests show strong consumer purchase interest in the new cuts and how BAM helps keep unit prices acceptable. A proven sales driver, BAM appeals to smaller households and health-conscious shoppers.

Beef and veal in the classroom

In Flint, MBIC staff recently shared facts about beef and veal production with Mott Community College meat fabrication students, who are training to be future food industry professionals.

MBIC staff Shawna TeVelde (left) and Cindy Hulings, (right), teach consumers about the Interactive Butcher Counter.

Get to know your checkoff.

Visit www.MIBEEF.org or call 517-347-0911Michigan Beef Industry Commission517-347-0911 • www.MIBEEF.org

Cindy Hulings, MBIC Director of Promotion and Consumer Marketing, at the 2014 Van Eerden Food Shows.

Holiday entertaining with beef

In preparation for the holiday season, MBIC provided a brochure containing holiday-focused beef recipes and posters to retailers.

YOUR CHECKOFF IN ACTION

CBB33090_2_Mich_ROI_Ad_1-2.indd 1 11/13/14 4:39 PM

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TOGETHERTOWARDTOMORROW

MICHIGAN MILK PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION

2013-2014 Local Officers

Adrian LocalPresident: Clark EmmonsV. President: Jim Marvin Sec/Treas: Gary StoutDairy Communicators: Geraldine Emmons, Joy Marvin, Maria Marvin

Alma Local President: Mike RasmussenV. President: John BlackSec/Treas: Missy PrinsDairy Communicators: Cheri Chapin, Ramona Okkema, Missy Prins

Barry-eaton LocalPresident: Tom WingV. President: David BivensSec/Treas: Sally BivensDairy Communicators: Sally Bivens, Heather Wing

Blossomland LocalPresident: Jerry Koebel, Jr.Sec/Treas: Joshua GambleDairy Communicator: Heather Carpenter

chippewa county LocalPresident: David FolkersmaV. President: David BellSec/Treas: Loren HoolsemaDairy Communicator: Ann Folkersma

clare-mt. pleasant LocalPresident: William StoughV. President: Douglas StevensSec/Treas: Bertha Mae StoughDairy Communicators: Bertha Mae Stough, Michelle Stough

constantine LocalPresident: Richard UltzV. President: Clyde MillerSec/Treas: Richard ThomasDairy Communicators: Judy Oesch, Richard Ultz

Dairyland LocalPresident: Del ChristensenSec/Treas: Brent WilsonDairy Communicator: Brent Wilson

Deford/clifford-mayville Local President: Ray WolakV. President: Calvin BodeisSec/Treas: Diane FoleyDairy Communicators: Diane Foley, Jane Wood, Katie Wood

evart LocalPresident: Gordon DickV. President: William JernstadtSec/Treas: Larry BuningDairy Communicators: Ken DeZeeuw, Amy Martin

Flint LocalPresident: Roger BlossV. President: Peter JuengelSec/Treas: Daniel Weil

Frankenmuth Local President: Larry SchumacherV. President: Roger KeinathSec/Treas: Roger WeissDairy Communicators: Debra Krafft, Barbara Wardin, Beth Weiss, Joanmarie Weiss, Margie Weiss

Grand rapids LocalPresident: Jim GoodV. President: Tim ButlerSec/Treas: Ken LesemanDairy Communicator: Kay Willcome

Hillman LocalPresident: Corby WerthV. President: Jeremy WerthSec/Treas: Ron LucasDairy Communicators: Katie Dellar, Connie Lucas, Janel Woodward

Hillsdale-Litchfield LocalPresident: Scott FerryV. President: Bruce LewisSec/Treas: Carlton EvansDairy Communicators: Jennifer Lewis, Cami Marz-Evans

Huron LocalPresident: Mark ZielV. President: Tim KubackiSecretary: Shelly MessingTreasurer: Darwin SnellerDairy Communicators: Debbie Kubacki, Nancy Laeder, Shelly Messing

ingham county LocalPresident: Josh LottDairy Communicator: Evelyn Minnis

Jackson county plus LocalPresident: Jeffrey AlexanderV. President: Tom ZenzSec/Treas: Arthur RiskeDairy Communicator: Kathy Heisler

kalamazoo LocalPresident: Don BeverV. President: Charles WamhoffSec/Treas: Dan RanslerDairy Communicator: Tammy Spicher

Lansing LocalPresident: Jim DroschaV. President: Daniel RitterSec/Treas: Kristina LangmaackDairy Communicators: Stacey Edick, Kristina Langmaack

Livingston charter LocalPresident: Scott BontekoeV. President: Chuck WhiteSec/Treas: Janet WhiteDairy Communicators: Liz Bontekoe, Jodi Hill

mid-michigan LocalPresident: John HufnagelV. President: Aaron GasperSec/Treas: Kris WardinDairy Communicators: Patti Jandernoa, Doreen Slavik, Carla Wardin

mid-Sanilac LocalPresident: James Heberling V. President: Jeremy SharrardSec/Treas: Mike BenderDairy Communicators: Sara Lee, Jordan Noll, Rita Phillips, Barb Radloff, Jodi Sharrard, Gertie van den Goor

mid-thumb LocalPresident: Scott LambV. President: Robert J. Rowley IISec/Treas: William BlumerichDairy Communicators: Virginia Ankley, Kathleen Clinton, Kathleen Knust, Kristie Lamb, Doris Stuever, Melissa Sullivan

muskegon LocalPresident: Bill StakenasV. President: Glen SparksSec/Treas: Sharon PowersDairy Communicator: Terri Stakenas

Owosso LocalPresident: Matt DutcherV. President: David ReedSec/Treas: David ReedDairy Communicator: Megghan Honke

Saline-Ann Arbor LocalPresident: Jeff HorningV. President: Stan LambarthSec/Treas: Keith WeidmayerDairy Communicators: Arlene DeForest, Lynda Horning

Sunrise LocalPres/V. President: John BennettSecretary: Daniel FiskTreasurer: Michael O’FarrellDairy Communicator: Abigail O’Farrell

U.p. West central LocalPresident: Robert BarronV. President: Gary PalosaariActing Sec/Treas: Eleanor BloniarzDairy Communicator: Karen Palosaari

Upstate LocalV. President: Richard Fettig West michigan LocalPresident: Paul ElzingaV. President: Norm TerHaarSecretary: William GruppenTreasurer: David PyleDairy Communicators: Jenny Elzinga, Arlene TerHaar

2013-2014 Local Officers

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MMPA Advisory CommitteeDistrict OneCarlton Evans, Litchfield ........................................517-398-0629Perry Cisco, Hudson ...................................................517-547-3231Glenn Preston, Quincy ..............................................517-639-4182Art Riske, Hanover ......................................................517-524-6015

District TwoDonald Bever, Delton ................................................269-671-5050Michael Oesch, Middlebury, IN .............................. 574-825-2454 Danny Ransler, Gobles ..............................................269-628-4218Richard Thomas, Middlebury, IN ............................574-825-5198

District ThreeJim Good, Caledonia ..................................................616-891-1414Burke Larson, Scottville ............................................231-425-8988David Pyle, Zeeland ..................................................616-772-1512Bill Stakenas, Freesoil ................................................231-757-9340

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

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

District SixAaron Gasper, Lowell .................................................616-897-2747 Jamie Meyer, Ionia ......................................................989-640-3372David Reed, Owosso ..................................................989-723-8635 Kris Wardin, St Johns..................................................989-640-9420

District SevenJohn Bennett, Prescott ..............................................989-345-4264Eric Bergdolt, Vassar ..................................................989-652-6500Rod Fowler, Chesaning ..............................................989-845-6131Scott Kleinhardt, Clare ..............................................989-386-8037

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

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

“These numbers reflect students’

enthusiasm to learn more about

food, energy and the environment,”

CANR Dean Fred Poston said.

“It also means that students

are recognizing that there are

careers available in our areas of

study – and they are attracted to

scientific fields of study that focus

on tackling some of the world’s

biggest issues.”

The CANR fall undergraduate

enrollment is 4,235, an increase of

335 students (8.59 percent) from

MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Hits 40-year Enrollment High

last year’s numbers. The numbers

represent a trend in overall

enrollment at MSU, where the total

undergraduate enrollment has

topped 38,000 students.

Two CANR departments saw a large

spike in enrollment: Agriculture,

Food and Resource Economics

and the School of Packaging, with

increases of 133 and 121 students,

respectively. Other departments

experiencing double-digit increases

were Community Sustainability,

Food Science and Human Nutrition,

The Michigan State

University college

of Agriculture and

Natural Resources

(cANR) reached a

40-year high

this fall, with

4,874 students enrolled inthe college.

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MSU animal science major Garrett Slavik helps introduce a young girl to dairy during Great Dairy Adventure at the MSU Dairy Club “I Milked a Cow” booth.

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Forestry and the School of Planning,

Design and Construction.

A 2.1 percent jump in enrollment

in the Institute for Agricultural

Technology – the college’s two-

year certificate program – and a

1.11 percent increase in graduate

students also played into the

enrollment jump.

Kelly Millenbah, associate dean of

the CANR and director of the Office

of Academic and Student Affairs,

said the college will likely continue

to see growth.

“The college’s popularity is

fueled by a variety of factors,” she

said “The growing demand for

agriculture and natural resources

students in the workforce, the

fact that more and more students

are learning that majors in the

CANR are STEM (science, math,

engineering and technology)-

focused careers; and the fact

that our students appreciate the

opportunity to do as well as learn.”

According to a national survey,

only 60 percent of available jobs

will be filled by the current pool of

agriculture and natural resources

graduates – that means there aren’t

even enough students in college to

fill an impending void, Millenbah

said.

The CANR currently boasts an 89

percent career placement rate,

which contributes to its popularity

for students, and attracts students

through its diverse research,

study abroad and internship

opportunities, Millenbah noted.

Make your milk samples work harder

The IDEXX Milk Pregnancy Test is available at NorthStar Cooperative.

• Confirm pregnancy earlier with new 28 days postbreeding claim

• Depend on accuracy that is similar to palpation and ultrasound1†

• Work closely with your veterinarian to develop a reproductive management program

Call 1-800-631-3510 today to add the IDEXX Milk Pregnancy Test to your recording samples.*

“We switched to the IDEXX Milk Pregnancy Test

about a year ago on the dry off checks. We were looking for ways to knock down time spent behind the parlor and free up space. By using the Milk Pregnancy Test we don’t have to handle all those extra animals each week during herd health. The Milk Pregnancy Test helps us save time and be more efficient with the parlor.” Jim Winkel

*Samples can be fresh, frozen or preserved. † Performance of the IDEXX Milk Pregnancy Test was determined by comparing test results to those from ultrasound and palpation (n=1,315 cows). Rechecks were not included in performance calculations. See IDEXX Milk Pregnancy Test Validation Data Report for full test performance data.

1. Data on file at IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. Westbrook, ME USA.

© 2014 IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. All rights reserved. • 105801-00 IDEXX and Test With Confidence are trademarks or registered trademarks of IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. or its affiliates in the United States and/or other countries. The IDEXX Privacy Policy is available at idexx.com.

www.northstarcooperative.com

Like the folks at Winkel Dairy, McBain, Michigan

Bringing Family Meals Back to the Table with Milk

W e all know that Milk Means More guaranteed protein and nutrition when served at the dinner table. In an effort to remind families gathering around the table this holiday season,

United Dairy Industry of Michigan created a Family Meals campaign to increase mealtime dairy consumption using the new Milk Means More brand.

Moms ages 18-54 are the target audience for this digital and billboard campaign, which runs Nov. 10- Dec. 21. Family-oriented messages will appear on billboards in four designated market areas: Detroit (nine counties); Flint and Saginaw (13 counties); Lansing and Jackson (five counties) and Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo (14 counties).

Digital media placement will include behavior-targeted web ads, mobile ads, Facebook ads and pre-roll video with 15-second audio messages complete with a campaign visual targeted at moms on Pandora.com.

The campaign is as rich in information as milk is in nutrients. It’s designed to get an increasingly mobile audience to think more frequently about milk by building on milk’s natural simplicity, local flavor and nutritious possibilities, all for less than 25 cents per cup.

“I think it’s important we get back to basics,” UDIM CEO Sharon Toth said. “As a registered dietitian, a mom and someone who has spent a career in dairy promotion, it’s been frustrating to see far less nutritious beverages vying for a seat at the dinner table. We’re advocating family meals and family values: milk at meals and water in between.”

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Cheese Pairing Booklet Celebrates Variety, Versatility

With the holidays approaching, cheese plates will grace the table at gatherings of friends and family. The robust, complex flavors of cheese are enhanced by pairing them with wine, craft beer and other simple snack foods such as nuts, fruits and crackers. To help consumers make the most of their cheese boards, UDIM created a new Cheese Pairing Booklet offering simple tips for celebrating the goodness of cheese and enjoying the simple luxury a piece of fine cheese offers.

The booklet features mouth-watering photography and pairing suggestions for wines and beers readily available in Michigan, as well as tips and tricks for choosing and serving cheese. So, if your holiday schedule includes entertaining, order copies of the Cheese Pairing Guide to inspire a simple but luxurious spread of creamy cheese paired with your favorite beverages.

Copies of the free Cheese Pairing Guide can be ordered for you or your next dairy promotion event by contacting UDIM at 1-800-241-MILK. Or find it online at milkmeansmore.org.

The DuPont Oval Logo is a registered trademark of DuPont. PiOneer® brand products are provided subject to the terms and conditions of purchase which are part of the labeling and purchase documents. ®, TM, SM Trademarks and service marks of Pioneer. © 2014 PHii. DUPPFO14015VA_090114_MMM

Look to your local Pioneer sales professional for expert advice and the latest products.You’ll get premium quality, high-tonnage corn silage hybrids, including an extended lineup of BMR products, plus high-yielding alfalfa varieties and unique, patented inoculants. For homegrown feed that gives you a home-field advantage, talk to your local Pioneer sales professional. Pioneer.com/SilageZone

34% minimum protein13% maximum crude fiber

4% minimum fat

Valero Meal

16% maximum fiber6% minimum protein

2.1% maximum calcium2% minimum fat

Citrus PulpLow Fat Hominy7% minimum protein7% maximum fiber4% minimum fat

Improve bottom-line $$. Lower feed costs. Maximize production.Ingredients from your trusted source.

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

Traditional ZFS® Menu

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

MERchANDISE

Laundry Soaps: Great for Farm and homeThe MMPA Warehouse handles four different types of laundry soaps, two in liquid and two in powder form. In addition to being excellent for farm use, they work equally well as household detergents. Our four laundry soap products are listed below.

Liquid Laundry Soap (1 gallon container) from Ecolab comes in a 1 gallon container and is designed for use on heavily-soiled work clothes, but is also safe for delicates and fine fabrics. This product can be used in hot or warm washes, and it has a nice lemon-fresh smell. Directions for use on light loads are 1/4 cup per load, and 1/2 cup should be used for heavy loads.

Stock # 6004 Member Price: $13.73

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


chor mate Laundry Detergent (100 pounds) from Ecolab is a powdered, heavy-duty cleaner that can be used for cleaning normal laundry, barn clothes and cloth udder prep towels. It contains no phosphorous or bleach and has excellent wetting agents. The major active ingredients are sodium carbonate and sodium metasilicate. Top loading washers use 1/2 cup of product and front loading washers use 1/3 cup. For heavy soils, it is recommended to use an extra 1/3 cup.


towel Brite (100 pounds) by A & L is a commercial powdered soap for use on cloth udder prep towels. It is a concentrated, biodegradable product containing organic chlorine bleach. There is no reason to add more bleach to your wash, and this type of bleach is gentler than liquid bleach. Directions for use are: 1 ounce for every 3 to 5 gallons of water (will work in any temperature). For most washer cycles, this would equate to about 1/2 cup per load.


Vendor Changes:

As of mid-November, Ecolab acquired A & L, also known as

EXL. This acquisition will make both companies stronger

for the future. We were informed no staff changes were

planned and that we would still be working with the reps

who have serviced us for so long. Pat Mitchell, who has

been with Ecolab for a number of years, will continue to

serve our members with his usual high level of excellence.

Unfortunately for us, Kurt Fiene from A & L has accepted

another position that will allow him to travel less and spend

more time with his family. We want to thank Kurt for his

excellent service and wish him well in the future. We will

have more information on this subject as we move forward.

Order Your mmpA merchandise

through your milk hauler or call:

Duane Farmersupervisor

989-317-8370

Toll Free: 877-367-6455

orders (Novi): 800-572-5824

then dial 2

Fax:989-317-8372M

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PREMIUMS

Chemical, Sanitizer

and Teat Dip

Contact Information

These are service personnel only. Order your Member Merchandise

supplies through your hauler.

ecOLAB24 - Hour Medical Emergency

Hotline: 1-800-328-0026 For Service, call the

Ecolab Service Message Center 1-800-392-3392

orStan Palmer

5303 E. Swan Drive #3Port Clinton, OH 43452

419-797-2101

Ben Johnson4461 Cambridge Dr.

Port Huron, MI 48060810-824-0636

Jason Koerth7509 Aborcrest Dr.Portage, MI 49024

269-207-3773

Pat Mitchell7273 N. Rollin Hwy.Addison, MI 49220

517-403-0928

A & L Laboratories24 - Hour Medical Emergency

Hotline: 1-800-424-9300

Jeff TimmNW 8665 C.R. M

Shawano, WI 54166612-840-0555

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

Somatic Cell Count premiums and deductions (in addition to Federal Order SCC Adjustments computed in the producer pay price) will be paid at the following levels:

50,000 or below ................................+55¢/cwt.

51,000-75,000 ....................................+50¢/cwt.

76,000-100,000 ..................................+45¢/cwt.

101,000-125,000 ...............................+40¢/cwt.

126,000-150,000 ...............................+35¢/cwt.

151,000-175,000 ...............................+30¢/cwt.

176,000-200,000 ...............................+25¢/cwt.

201,000-225,000 ...............................+20¢/cwt.

226,000-250,000 ...............................+15¢/cwt.

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

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

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

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

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

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

• 10,000 Raw Bacteria Count

• 20,000 Pre-Incubated (PI) Count

MMPA Quality Premium Program

MMPA Member Testing FeesPayment 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.

There will be a deduction of 10¢/cwt. for:• Greater than 100,000 Raw Bacteria Count

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

To qualify for Raw and PI Bacteria Count premiums there must not be any of the following during the month:• Positive drug residue • Abnormal freeze points• High load count shipment or rejected load shipment• #3 or #4 sediment• Raw Bacteria count over 100,000

The count levels for raw and PI will be determined on one test run per month.

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

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

Additional Tests Available: All costs are listed per individual sample. • Mycoplasma Cultures .................... $12• Bacteriology Cultures .................... $13

– Includes identification of bacteria and drug susceptibility.

• Bovine Viral Diarrhea - PCR .................................................... $40 - ELISA ................................................. $6• Johne’s Milk Test - PCR .................................................... $40 - ELISA – cows ................................... $6 - ELISA – tank .................................... $10• Bovine Leukosis Test - ELISA – cows ................................... $6 - ELISA – tank .................................... $10• Milk Pregnancy ELISA .................... $4.50

Lab test results by mail: $2/month

FREELINERS

Bulls

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

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

Service age reg. Holstein bulls: Deep pedigrees, some red carriers. Jenesis Genetics, 231-924-6163 or 231-225-8615.

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

Cows & Heifers

Fresh heifers – take your pick, $2,100 a piece. 810-724-8825.

Equipment

2007 kuhn knight 8132 spreader. $1,800. Call Brent at 989-551-0681.

crop sprayer, George White 450-gal., 36-ft. booms, newer Delavan pump, $2,500. 616-681-9668.

1 Harvestore Alliance unloader for 20-ft. silo with motor and oiler, excellent shape, $5,500 or best offer. 810-648-2379.

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

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

2014 John Deere 7180SpFH 4x4 autolube kp. 180 hours, excellent condition. Financing available. Call 989-464-5436.

Dairy Equipment

Surge 100+ vacuum pump with rebuilt 5 ½ hp. motor, $350. 989-727-3252.

Dairy Farm

Dairy Farm, cheboygan, mi 367.11 acres, which include double 14 parallel parlor put in soon to be 4 years. 2,000 gal. bulk tank, 400 free-stall barn, calf barn, commodity barn, hay barn, maternity barn, shop pole barn. 45-acre pasture by barn. 7-bedroom, L-shaped brick home, well maintained, built 1976. Can send packet with more info if interested. We also have all the equipment, which has been appraised and a list is also available. We have most all of 2014 crops in and available. This can be a turnkey operation or farm, and equipment can be sold separately. We also rent 670 acres paying from $10 to $40 an acre. The $40 one is the highest. This would also work as a perfect place to raise your heifers. Please contact the Brown farm at 231-625-2036 or Jeff at 517-202-9421. Price has been lowered to $999,000.

Wanted

registered Holsteins. Call Brent at 989-551-0681.

Full time herdsman for a family dairy. Mechanical ability a must. Send resume to the Cedar Springs Post Office, P.O. Box 345, Cedar Springs, MI 49319-0345.

Looking for a herdsman on a 400-cow dairy near Blanchard, Michigan. Contact T J Okkema at 989-560-7444.

Miscellaneous

Australian Shepherd pups born 10/9/14, all colors, shots & wormed. Both parents on site. Make great farm dogs. 810-569-6599.

Freeliner Policy

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

www.mimilk.com

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

http://www.verhageholsteins.com

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cLASSIFIEDS

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. 1987. Call 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 and provides high quality traction in new & old concrete, fast service. BLUE RIBBON HOOF TRIMMING, LLC. 989-635-1494.

FOr SALe: 5000-4000-3000-

2500-2000-1500 OH mUeLLer

LAte mODeL BULk tANk miLk

tANkS, complete, will trade. 800-558-0112.

WANteD tO BUY: USeD BULk

miLk tANkS, 200 gallons & larger, Sunset & Mueller, 800-558-0112.

DrY HAY & StrAW (large & small square bales) and barley for feed. Call 989-723-1886 or 989-277-1414.

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

concrete Groovingand texturing

Call: Jeff Brisky - Owner

Toll Free: 1-800-294-1202

Cell: 1-716-353-1137

reGiStereD HOLSteiN BULLS

A special herd sire or a truck loadof breeder bulls.

Ready to go to work on your farm!

GreeN meADOW FArmS6400 Hollister Road, elsie, MI 48831

Phone: 989-862-4291

www.greenmeadowfarms.com

OVeR 100 SeRVICe Age BuLLS FOR yOuR SeLeCTIOn! • Sired by the top sires from the

U.S. and Canada• From our top production cows

classified Ads ($20 per ad up to six lines)

All ads must be received by the 10th of the month before the month of desired publication. Send check or money order for $20 for up to 6 lines with your order. MMPA neither sponsors nor endorses products or services advertised in the Messenger. You may submit your ads by:

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

emAiL: [email protected]

FAx: 248-426-3412

1-800-248-8070M-40 South

Hamilton, MI 49419

PTO and Automatic Start Generators

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POLIcIES

MMPA Policy on Drug Residue in Milk

miLk ON FArm – DrUG reSiDUe SUSpecteD

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

1. Call a MMPA member representative to have the milk in the tank tested. A “hold” must be placed on the tank contents until the test results are known.

OR

2. The member can test the milk on the farm. If dumped, the member must be sure to take the stick reading, record the number of pounds of milk and report the information to their membership representative.

• Ifthetanktestsnegative(nodrugspresent),themilkmaybereleased and shipped.

• Ifthetanktestspositive(drugspresent),themembershiprepresentative 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.*

• IfforanyreasonMMPApersonnelmustpickupsamplesatthe farm for testing three or more times within 12 consecutive months, the member involved will be charged $25 per trip.

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.

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

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

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

ALL pOSitiVe DrUG reSiDUe SHipmeNtS mUSt Be repOrteD tO tHe eNFOrcemeNt AGeNcY.

MMPA Policy on Drug Milk QualityQUALitY 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 Mt. Pleasant warehouse. The MMPA member representative will verify the switch has been installed. Reimbursement for the Swingline Safety Switch and the voluntary dump will then be made to the member.

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

miLk SHippeD – HiGH BActeriA cOUNt

If…1. a load of milk is received (unloaded) at a dairy processing plant

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

and,3. testing of the individual member samples on that load identifies

the member or members having a bacteria count of 300,000 or more, then the member or members involved will be charged the value of one-half of one day’s production** and will be disqualified for raw and PI bacteria count premiums.

*Thememberwillonlybepaidfortwo(2)voluntarydumpsinarolling 12 month period.** For members using more than one bulk tank, the assessment will be based on the value of milk in the tank or tanks in violation of the MMPA quality policy.

reJecteD LOAD SHipmeNt

If…1. a load of milk is rejected (not unloaded) at a dairy processing

plant and,

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

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

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

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

HAULerA 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.

Statistical Summaryfor Milk Marketed in October 2014

Market Statistics - Mideast Federal Order #33 (pounds)

% this month Year Ago change

Total Class 1 Sales 548,877,240 576,503,103 -4.79

Total Class 2 Sales 312,079,177 179,282,869 +74.07

Total Class 3 Sales 314,552,655 486,718,967 -35.37

Total Class 4 Sales 243,176,826 85,973,920 +182.85

Total Production 1,418,685,898 1,328,478,859 +6.79

Class 1 Utilization 38.7% 43.4%

Mideast Federal Order #33Total Producers ................................................................................. 5,892

Avg. Daily Production per Farm ................................................... 7,767

Avg. Protein Test ..............................................................................3.15%

Avg. Butterfat Test ...........................................................................3.77%

Avg. Oth Solids Test ........................................................................5.72%

Avg. SCC (MMPA) ......................................................................... 170,000

Component Pricing Information -Mideast Federal Order #33Protein Price/lb. ........................................................................... $3.7362

Butterfat Price/lb. ....................................................................... $2.8507

Other Solids Price/lb. ................................................................. $0.4670

Class III Price @ 3.5% ......................................................................$23.82

Prod. Price Diff/cwt. (Mich. Mkt) ............................................... ($0.71)

Uniform Price @ 3.5% ....................................................................$23.11

SCC Adjustment/cwt./1000 ....................................................$0.00115

AMS Survey PricesProduct Monthly Avg

Cheese/lb. ........................................................................................... 2.2914

Butter/lb. ............................................................................................. 2.5255

Nonfat Dry Milk/lb. .......................................................................... 1.4900

Dry Whey/lb. ...................................................................................... 0.6525

National Trends(millionpounds) 2014 2013 % change

production

California 3,427 3,338 +2.7

Wisconsin 2,337 2,283 +2.4

Idaho 1,167 1,110 +5.1

New York 1,156 1,122 +3.0

Texas 894 801 +11.6

Pennsylvania 890 859 +3.6

Michigan 814 760 +7.1

Minnesota 766 745 +2.8

New Mexico 665 652 +2.0

Washington 549 525 +4.6

Ohio 457 444 +2.9

Indiana 326 319 +2.2

*Total U.S 16,048 15,449 +3.9

*U.S Y-T-D 161,370 157,667 +2.3

*For 23 States

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MARKET REPORT

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*If you are unable to reach your assigned member representative, please contact the representatives listed in your area.

Novi headquartersmain OfficeLocal line ................................................................... 248-474-6672Toll free ...................................................................... 800-572-5824

General managerJoe Diglio .............................................................................. ext. 200

member ServicesDean Letter .............................................................. 989-289-9251

milk Sales/DispatchCarl Rasch ............................................................................. ext. 244

Laboratory SupervisorPatti Huttula ........................................................................ ext. 219

manufactured product SalesJim Dodson .......................................................................... ext. 229

QualityAmandeep Dhillon ............................................................ ext. 305

credit/insuranceCheryl Schmandt ............................................................... ext. 210

Human resourcesCindy Tilden ......................................................................... ext. 220

member relations/public AffairsSheila Burkhardt ................................................................ ext. 208

Data processingGregory Schulkey .............................................................. ext. 237

member communicationsAlex Schnabelrauch .......................................................... ext. 211

Manufacturing PlantsconstantineDave Davis, Plant Manager ................................ 269-435-2835

OvidColt Johnson, Plant Manager ........................... 989-834-2221

MMPA Field Staff*Northwest Area Ben Chapin, Supervisor, Blanchard ......................989-289-0731

Frank Brazeau, Energy Auditor, Oconto, WI ......906-250-0337

Lyndsay Earl, Ludington ...........................................231-519-2455

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

Sarah Michalek, Portland .........................................248-305-0537

Northeast AreaChristy Dinsmoore, Supervisor& Mastitis Management Specialist, Fairgrove ..248-513-7920

Lindsay Green, Energy Auditor, East Lansing .. 989-488-8159

Ashley Herriman, Alpena .........................................269-245-6632

Angie Kirsch, Harbor Beach .................................. 231-414-4539

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

South AreaEd Zuchnik, Supervisor& Energy Auditor, Three Rivers ...............................269-967-7351

Krista Beeker, Topeka, IN ....................................... 269-986-6792

Dave Brady, Grass Lake.....517-522-5965 or (c) 517-937-9061

Emily Smith, Bronson .................................................269-535-0822

Elyse Martin, Energy Auditor, Charlotte .............810-701-6460

Other ServicesBulk tank calibration

Gary Best, Lapeer ................810-664-4984 or (c) 586-484-9279

merchandise coordinator, energy Auditor

Katie Pierson, Coleman .............................................989-289-9686

mastitis management Specialist

Steve Lehman, Ithaca ......... 989-875-3441 or (c) 89-330-1638

MMPA LabsNovi (Monday-Friday,8a.m.-4:30p.m.)In Michigan ....................................................................800-572-5824Toll Free............................................................................800-233-2405

Ovid (Daily,6a.m.-10p.m.) ......................................989-834-2515

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

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

MMPA STAFF

Michigan Milk Messenger: December 2014

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