michigan milk messenger: december 2012

Michigan Milk Messenger 1

December 2012Volume 95 Issue 6

2 December 2012


Contents

Managing Editor ..................... Sheila BurkhardtEditors .......................................... Laura Moser .................................. Alex SchnabelrauchAdvertising Manager ............. Nancy MuszynskiCirculation .............................................. 4,200

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

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

41310 Bridge St. P.O. Box 8002

Novi, MI 48376-8002 Telephone: 248-474-6672 FAX: 248-474-0924

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

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

(ISSN 0026-2315)

MMPA Matters ............................................... 5Quality Watch ................................................. 6News & Views ................................................. 8Legislative Watch ........................................... 10Merchandise Memo ....................................... 32Freeliners ....................................................... 34Classifieds...................................................... 36Policies .......................................................... 37Market Report ............................................... 38MMPA Lab Lines .......................................... 39MMPA Staff .................................................. 39

On the Cover

Volume 95 Issue 6www.mimilk.com

Departments

FeaturesDecember 2012

This month’s cover art is a print titled “Well Hello There” by Rural Artist Bonnie Mohr. Visit Bonnie’s website to see her entire collection: www.bonniemohr.com.


December 2012Volume 95 Issue 6

12 Doing It On Her Own Rosemary Rice ~ District 8

16 Bloggers Get Up-Close and Personal with Dairy

18 MMPA Leaders Gather to Prepare for Local Meetings

20 Living a Dairy Paradox Margie Weiss ~ District 10

22 Milker Training School — Offering hands-on training for members and their employees

23 2012-13 MMPA Local Meetings

24 2012-13 MMPA Local Officers

28 NMPF/NDB/UDIA Joint Annual Meeting Snapshot Recap

30 Securing Dairy’s Future – 2012 NMPF Young Cooperators Conference

20

16

12

4 December 2012

Officers President: Ken NobisVice President: Bob KranTreasurer: Mark Halbert General Manager/Secretary: Clay Galarneau Ass’t. Treasurer: Joe DiglioGeneral Counsel: David VanderHaagen

Directors-At-LargeKen Nobis, St. Johns ........................989-224-6170 or 248-474-6672, ext. 201Rodney Daniels, Whittemore ............989-756-4935Mark Halbert, Battle Creek ...............269-964-0511

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

Mission Statement“To market our members’ milk to the

greatest advantage possible.”

District SixJohn Hufnagel, Westphalia 989-640-1394Anthony Jandernoa, 989-593-2224 St. Johns Aaron Gasper, Lowell 616-897-2747 David Reed, Owosso 989-723-8635

District SevenBill Blumerich, Berlin 810-395-2926Pat Bolday, Emmett 810-395-7139 Scott Lamb, Jeddo 810-327-6135Chuck White, Fowlerville 517-521-3564

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

District TenJohn Bennett, Prescott 989-345-4264Rod Fowler, Chesaning 989-845-6131Scott Kleinhardt, Clare 989-386-8037Ken Daniels, Sterling 989-654-2546

District ElevenJim Good, Caledonia 616-891-1414Frank Konkel, Hesperia 231-854-8041 David Pyle, Zeeland 616-772-1512Bill Stakenas, Free Soil 231-757-9340

District TwelveRobert Barron, Gladstone 906-786-7027Ron Lucas, Posen 989-379-4694Corby Werth, Alpena 989-379-3772Jeremy Werth, Alpena 989-464-4022

District OneBrad Hart, Clayton 517-445-2649Perry Cisco, Hudson 517-547-3231Carlton Evans, Litchfield 517-398-0629Glenn Preston, Quincy 517-639-4182

District TwoDonald Bever, Delton 269-671-5050Francis Burr, Mendon 269-778-3552Richard Thomas, 574-825-5198 Middlebury, IN Susan Troyer, Goshen, IN 574-533-4506

District FourDavid Bivens, Bellevue 269-758-3980Jeff Butler, Nashville 517-852-1859 Mark Crandall, 269-660-2229 Battle CreekDavid Lott, Mason 517-676-4593

District FiveTom Jeppesen, Stanton 989-762-5399Bill Jernstadt, Big Rapids 231-796-4650 Robert Lee, Marion 231-743-6794 Mike Rasmussen, Edmore 989-762-5380

Michigan Milk Producers Association

Advisory Committee

Board of Directors

District Directors 1. Hank Choate, Cement City ..........517-529-9032 2. Tim Hood, Paw Paw ...................269-657-5771 4. Dan Javor, Hastings .....................269-948-8345 5. Brent Wilson, Carson City ...........989-584-3481 6. Brad Ritter, Byron .......................810-266-4091 7. James Reid, Jeddo .......................810-327-6830 8. Leonard Brown, Sandusky ...........810-648-450510. Eric Frahm, Frankenmuth ...........989-652-355211. Bob Kran, Free Soil .....................231-464-588912. John Kronemeyer, Pickford .........906-647-7638


MMPA MattersBy Ken Nobis

President

2012 —A Year of Surprises

Here we are ready to close out another year. Sometimes it feels

like we just started 2012, but already the end is in sight. Of course some of the events of 2012 couldn’t end soon enough, like the automated telephone calls leading up to the election. If you don’t appreciate hot weather, the summer of 2012 probably lasted too long for you. If you like the sound of falling rain and you live south of I-96, you weren’t treated to that sound often enough; if you are located south of I-94 you hardly heard it at all. However, those of you who live in “God’s country” north of M-57 probably feel very blessed to have heard the rain and felt the heat that produced bumper crops for many.

Actually, most of the MMPA membership area avoided the worst of this year’s monumental drought. Even members who farm in the very dry or semi-dry areas have expressed surprise with the respectable yield of their crops given the small amount of rain.

We all like nice surprises, and another one came in the form of a 13th check despite the poor market conditions during most of 2012 that dimmed our prospects for that check to appear. The market took a favorable turn for MMPA in the last two months of our fiscal year. Because of good planning and practices, MMPA was positioned to take full advantage of the opportunity. For this we can thank our General Manager Clay Galarneau and his dedicated staff.

From a marketing and production standpoint, it felt like if it could happen it did happen

in 2012. We started the year with falling prices, which meant selling our inventory of butter and powder at a loss. Then unprecedented increases in milk production overtaxed processing capacity. We had no sooner learned how to handle the excess milk when production increases turned to decreases so that our plants were underutilized. Through it all Carl Rasch, who handles milk sales, and Jim Dodson, who handles manufactured product sales, and their staff members found places to sell our milk, butter and powder.

Meanwhile, our field staff had a very busy year also. In addition to their regular duties, they had to visit members to review and update our membership rolls to insure that MMPA complies with the Capper/Volstead Act, which provides the legal framework for a co-op to bargain for its members. We now feel confident that MMPA meets all the requirements of Capper/Volstead at this point in time.

The field staff has also been signing up our members to participate in the Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) animal care program under the leadership of Dean Letter, director of member services. Dean’s goal for this year was to have 60 percent of MMPA’s milk volume participating in the program, and by year-end he and his staff will have surpassed that goal. It was time well spent by MMPA staff and member farms to assure consumers that our product is safe and nutritious and comes from animals that receive quality care.

It’s not possible to mention everything that happened in 2012, so these highlights will have to suffice. I can’t conclude without focusing on my favorite topic for this time of the year: local annual meeting attendance. This column gives me the opportunity to talk to members from the perspective of one dairy farmer to another, and attending your local annual meeting serves the same purpose. This is a good year to get together over an excellent meal to do a little reminiscing about the unusual weather and to share reports on the challenges of this year’s harvest.

Planning the future of our co-op is vital, too, especially in these challenging times. In all honesty I have more often than not in my career as a dairy producer forgotten about what happens to my milk once the tanker leaves the yard. I think I’m not alone in that respect. Many dedicated people at MMPA and beyond help those of us on the farm achieve our goals, and it’s important for all of us to spend time being involved in what happens beyond the farm gate.

It comes as no surprise that I sincerely want all MMPA members to attend their local meetings this year. They will be informative and fun and besides that, those of us who attend as representatives of the co-op just like to see all of you.

Until we meet, Merry Christmas and God Bless!

6 December 2012

By Dean LetterMMPA Manager of Producer Testing

and Herd Health Programs

Quality WatchBy Dean Letter

Director of Member Services

Calf Training School Coming in February

Many MMPA members are enrolled in the National

Dairy FARM (Farmers Assuring Responsible Management) Program. The goals and objectives of the FARM program are to bolster consumer trust and confidence in the U.S. dairy industry and demonstrate the industry’s commitment to the highest levels of animal care and quality assurance.

This is achieved by MMPA member representatives conducting on-farm evaluations of animal care followed by a third-party verification on a statistically significant sample of the enrolled farms.

To assist our members in staying current on animal care practices, MMPA and Land O’Lakes Animal Milk Products Co. (LOL AMP) are offering calf training schools during Feb. 12-14, 2013.

The National Dairy FARM program recommends farms document all employee training for new and existing employees on an annual basis. The MMPA/LOL AMP calf training school will help fulfill this recommendation in this area of animal care. The meeting will be classroom style with enrollment limited to 25, so reserve your spot early.

The February meetings will cover the following items and will also provide input to develop or modify your standard operating procedures (SOPs) for calf care.

• Feeding and managing colostrum or colostrum replacer

• Maintaining biosecurity with the newborn calf (dipping navels, separating from the dam, etc.)

• Enhancing calf nutrition until weaned to stimulate rumen development

• Practicing proper water management to maintain proper hydration

• Discussing and reviewing vaccinations for common calfhood diseases

• Maintaining animal identification and animal health records

• Meeting calf housing, bedding and space requirements

• Providing for calves during extreme temperatures

MMPA is offering schools in three locations this year:

• February 12 at Brentwood (in Caro, Michigan)

• February 13 at the Clinton County RESA (in St. Johns, Michigan)

• February 14 at the Holiday Inn (in Big Rapids, Michigan)

Please contact Marianne Gasiewski at the Novi office if you are interested in attending our calf training meetings. She can be reached at (800)572-5824 ext. 215. When calling, please provide your farm information, desired school, phone number and the number of people attending.

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

MMPA FlintOctober 2012Dale Fisk Rainbow Creek Farms Sunrise Dairy*Alfred/Doris/Duane Stuever Edward Lawler*Richard/Susan Noake David Barber*Larry Niec Farms LLC Dennis Hetzner

MMPA FlintOctober 2012George Sivec Jr Roger Johnson David Barber Haubenstricker Dairy Farm LLC Krafft Farms LLC Dennis Hetzner*Steele’s Dairy Farm Le Var Farms LLC Elenbaum Dairy Bergdolt Farms LLC Petzold Dairy Farms LLC J & M Block Farms LLC *

*100 percent

8 December 2012

News & ViewsThe latest dairy news

Upcoming Events DecemberLocal meetings begin

19 MMPA Advisory Committee meeting – Novi

JanuaryLocal meetings continue

30 MMPA Resolutions Committee meeting –Novi

October Class III Up $2.02

The October Class III price is $21.02, up $2.02 from September and $2.99 higher than last year. Similarly, the Class IV price is up $1.13 to $18.54 a hundredweight.

New Dairy Promotion Grant Program Will Help Michigan Dairy Farmers Engage with Consumers

The United Dairy Industry of Michigan (UDIM) is proud to announce the new Dairy Promotion Grant Program beginning in January 2013. The UDIM Dairy Promotion Grant Program will provide funding support for Michigan dairy producers, dairy farm employees and milk marketing cooperative employees interested in reaching out to consumers through promotional and educational events, activities and programs about the dairy industry.

“There is no one better than dairy producers to tell dairy’s story,” said Jim Reid, MMPA board member and UDIM board president. “The public has high trust for dairy producers. It’s important we all make it part of our job to promote our products.”

This program is designed to support traditional and original promotional and educational events, activities and programs that range in focus from enhancing awareness of the dairy industry and the health and nutritional benefits of dairy products to increasing consumer knowledge and trust of dairy production practices and building demand for dairy products.

A total of $50,000 will be available per calendar year for the UDIM Dairy Promotion Grant Program. Applications and award funding are available year-round on a first-come, first-served basis. The annual funding process requires eligible applicants to submit a completed grant application form, detailed timeline and an itemized budget in order to be considered for funding. Proposed promotional and educational events, activities and programs must be conducted in Michigan.

The UDIM Dairy Promotion Grant Program application form will be available starting January 1, 2013 online at www.udim.org. For additional information about the program, visit www.udim.org or contact Staci Garcia, at 800-241-6455 (MILK).

Your Nominations Needed for Outstanding Indiana Dairy Producer

Each year, Indiana Dairy Producer’s (IDP) extension and dairy specialists select the Outstanding Dairy Producer and Outstanding Young Dairy Producer of the Year from nominations submitted.

Companies, veterinarians and nutritionists are encouraged to submit a nomination from their clients and from farms they are familiar with. Self nominations are acceptable, and you do not have to be a member of IDP to submit a nomination. The nominated dairy producer must reside in Indiana, but he/she does not have to be a member of IDP to be nominated. The deadline for submission is January 15, 2013. Please take the time to fill out a nomination form at http://bit.ly/SOU5Ip and send to Dr. Mike Schutz. Details are on the nomination form.


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Michigan Dairy Producers Approve Referendum Continuation

Michigan’s dairy producers have approved a referendum to continue the Michigan Dairy Market Program for Grade “A” Milk.

“As a strong partner in promoting the health, benefits and quality of Michigan milk and dairy products, another five years of UDIM’s nationally-acclaimed efforts can only result in positive strides for our industry. Michigan dairy farmers’ support of the referendum affirms that UDIM’s programs are effective and a good investment for the future of dairy,” Ken Nobis, MMPA president, applauds.

Established in January 1983, the Michigan Dairy Market Program was developed to promote the sale of milk and milk products produced within the State of Michigan and to increase consumer knowledge and acceptance of milk and milk products in general.

The program will continue for an additional five years beginning January 1, 2013. The current state program assessment is $.10 per hundredweight of Michigan Grade “A” Milk.

A total of 603 ballots were cast in the referendum. Of those, 549 producers voted yes (91 percent), representing 2,775,896,230.55 pounds (89 percent of the production volume represented) and 54 producers voted no (9 percent) representing 349,501,836.83 pounds (11 percent of the production volume represented).

For renewal of the program and its activities, more than 50 percent of the voting producers, representing more than 50 percent of the pounds sold by those voting, must have approved the referendum

10 December 2012

Legislative WatchIssues important to today’s dairy farmers

The political commercials and phone calls are finally over and, when the dust settled, 90 percent of the

Michigan Milk Political Action Committee’s (MMPAC) 2012 endorsements were elected to their respective offices. “Eighty-six of the 95 candidates we endorsed were elected. That’s a pretty good average in my book and I’m confident this election cycle yielded a receptive political environment as we look to promote dairy over the next legislative term. But, our work is just beginning,” MMPAC Chairman Ken Nobis says.

With 26 brand-new faces in the Michigan House of Representatives —nearly a quarter of the chamber’s

membership—a new wave of dairy education and relationship building begins. Ken confirms, “There are plenty of challenges facing dairy on the state and national level. MMPAC is helping the voice of MMPA members to be heard in Lansing and Washington, D.C.”

Thanks to members’ contributions, MMPAC was able to provide financial support to 27 candidates for the 2012 General Election. Along with 100 percent participation from the MMPA Board of Directors and management staff, most contributions were hand-delivered to each candidate by MMPA members.

MMPAC Endorsements 90 Percent Election Rate

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12 December 2012

Doing It On Her OwnRosemary Rice ~ District 8

By Alex Schnabelrauch

She was putting IVs in calves at 11, breeding cows at 13, preg

checking by 14 and applying for loans at the local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office at 19. Today, at just 24 years-of-age, many longtime dairymen consider Rosemary Rice “a newcomer.” But with over a decade of hands-on dairy experience and a burning passion bright enough to illuminate all of Huron County, this independent young dairy cooperator refuses to take no for an answer.

“Growing up, my dad didn’t encourage us to stay in dairy. In fact, one of his requirements before taking over the farm was we had to attend college, to get out and try new things. We kind of snuck our way back into dairy,” Rosemary slyly admits.

But, her journey to 50 percent owner of Rose Valley Dairy was anything but lucky happenstance. Fierce drive, unquenchable desire and mature initiative characterize Rosemary’s story. And it all started with a birthday gift.

The Gift that Changed Everything

Growing up, Rosemary was no stranger to livestock. Not only did she live on her family’s dairy and crop farm, Rosemary and her eight siblings took feeder steers to the county fair. Even as a youngster, her passion for dairy was evident. “Out of all of us, Rosemary was always the most passionate about cows even from the time she was yay-big,” her

older sister Antoinette affirms.

When Rosemary’s brother, Valentine (Val), gifted her a birthday heifer in 1999 things started snowballing. “My dad sold 65 of our 70 head milking herd in 2000, but then decided to go back into business with a purchase of 12 registered Holstein heifers. In 2005 and 2006 I had won heifers through Michigan Dairy Days and in 2007, I had saved my money and dad finally agreed that I could buy A Jersey calf… I came home with three,” she sheepishly grins.

By 2008, Rosemary accumulated four Jerseys, two Brown Swiss and 14 Holstein heifer calves from her uncle. Shortly after, Rosemary’s oldest brother, Val, started buying


heifers from their parents, and the two sibling partners rented barn space at their uncle’s farm to raise their young herd.

All this independent investment and hard work got the siblings thinking and casually discussing the farm’s succession plan.

Taking Over the Family Business

“We started talking about taking over the family farm in 2008, but it wasn’t anything serious. We talked to custom service providers in our area about what it takes to start a business. And by May 2009, we managed to take over the dairy portion of our parents farming operation,” she recollects.

Still reluctant to give their blessing on Rosemary and Val’s decision to dairy, Rosemary’s parents drafted a buy/sell contract for feed and cattle. The siblings would take over management for two years before committing to actually purchase the farm. “It was 2009, a break-year, and no one wanted to farm anymore. So mom and dad let us take over, giving us the chance to sink or swim,” Rosemary explains.

She elaborates, “Our parents didn’t have to put much effort into the transition. They set the price and I took care of the rest. Their intention was to allow us to do it all on our own, not to handicap us, so we were able to grasp the full breadth of responsibilities and details it took to manage the farm.”

They downsized from the farm’s original eight employees to just four – Rosemary, Val , their sister Antoinette and brother Ted. In addition to running the 110-cow herd on their own, Rosemary was a fulltime animal science student at Michigan State University. But despite the commute to Lansing, lack of sleep and tough economic climate, the Rice siblings cut costs, grew the herd and changed management practices to stay afloat.

Finally, in April of 2011, two years after taking over the farm’s management, Rosemary and Val refinanced their loan with the FSA and bought their parent’s facilities – taking 50-50 ownership.

Rose Valley Dairy Today

Since taking ownership, Rose Valley Dairy has seen its fair share of updates. They currently milk 180 Holstein, Brown Swiss and Jersey cows in their 30-year-old double four herringbone parlor. In addition to

operating their own 80 acres of alfalfa and corn, the siblings work with their parents and neighbors to harvest and buy crops off another 320 acres.

Managing the day-to-day operation of the dairy and crops business with just the two owners, a fulltime sibling employee (Antoinette) and part-time high school worker, sleep is a rare occurrence. Rosemary milks morning shift on her own from 1:30 to 7 a.m. every morning, then finishes her first daily shift with feeding calves until 8 a.m. After her power nap, Rosemary’s second daily

Pictured above: Top: Valentine and Rosemary Rice are 50-50 owners of Rose Valley Dairy in Filion. Bottom left: District eight OYDC Rosemary Rice is the farm’s primary record keeper and accountant. Bottom right: After milking the early morning shift,Rosemary is in charge of calf chores before finally going to bed around 8 a.m.

Continued on page 14

14 December 2012

Continued from page 13

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shift starts around noon and carries through until 9 or 10 p.m. Paper work, house work, errands, herd work, feeding calves and any other job in between keeps her hands more than full.

Knowing each cow by name while also managing the farm’s finances, Rosemary doesn’t bat an eye about missing a shift of sleep to care for sick calves. She explains, “As owner, I’d rather see myself work these types of demanding shifts than my employees. It’s my responsibility to take the hardest shift.”

As if keeping the farm going wasn’t enough, the Rices have remodeled their commodities room, put up a lean/outside feed alley and installed automatic calf waters and free stalls. When asked about the hardest part of taking over, Rosemary quickly responds, “I not only had to take over being the manager, business owner and employee, I had to take over being mom. Since this is our ‘home place,’ I have to juggle getting groceries, doing laundry, cooking and cleaning the house while working on the farm.”

In the midst of planning an August 2013 wedding, Rosemary’s life doesn’t look to be slowing down anytime soon. Her fiancé is currently in the process of taking over his family’s cash crop, beef and replacement heifer business. After getting married, the couple will continue to operate their separate enterprises and Rosemary will add a 20 minute commute to her “to do” list.

While outsiders might not understand how long hours, high stress and minuscule profits add up to someone’s preferred career, Rosemary optimistically retorts, “With nine of us siblings, our parents pushed us to independence at a young age and I wouldn’t have had it any other way. We’re paying the

bills and we’re doing it on our own. There are goals and it’s difficult to meet them each month. But the more experiences you have that are difficult, the more you learn and the more quickly you understand this industry.”


Registration for Good Food-Safe Food

Name(s):_____________________________________ Phone: _______________ Address:_______________________________City/State/Zip_________________ Email: ___________________________ Number attending:____ x $20 = $____ Register online at: http://events.anr.msu.edu/AvoidingResiduesMilkandMeat/ Or send check payable to MSU to: ANR Communications Event Services Michigan State University, Agriculture Hall 446 W. Circle Dr., Room 312 East Lansing, MI 48824-1039

• What is the controversy about antibiotic residues?

• What can we do to reduce the potential for antibiotic residues?

This 2.5 hour program will help dairy producers and dairy farm employees understand the changes in testing, the issues involved and how to avoid the possibility that meat or milk from your herd will be cited for antibiotic residues. Program: • Consumer awareness on antibiotics in food

MSUE Dairy Educators • Antibiotic residues in meat

Dr. Jeannine Schweihofer, MSUE • How to avoid antibiotic residues

Dr. Ron Erskine, MSU CVM and MSUE • The role of standard protocols in reducing problems A local veterinarian • Communication with employees to reduce risk

Phil Durst, MSUE

Registration: $20 per person Mail check, cash at the door, or credit card on-line at: http://events.anr.msu.edu/AvoidingResiduesMilkandMeat/ Contact Phil Durst at 989-387-5346 for more information

Good Food-Safe Food: Producing Antibiotic-free Milk & Meat

Practical steps for dairy producers to avoid antibiotic residues through improved antibiotic use

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dates, Locations and Times Dec. 4 9:30 am – 12:00 pm

Bad Axe - Franklin Inn Dec. 4 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm

Sandusky - Sanilac Co. MSU Extension Dec. 11 1:00 – 3:30 pm St. Johns - RESA Center Dec. 12 9:30 am – 12:00 pm

Lake City - Baker College Center for Transportation & Technology

Dec. 12 1:30 pm – 4:00 pm Lakeview - Tamarack District Library

Dec. 13 9:30 am – 12:00 pm Coopersville - Polkton Township Hall Jan. 9 9:30 am – 12:00 pm Coldwater - Courthouse Annex Jan. 9 1:30 pm – 4:00 pm Manchester - Sharon United Methodist Church Jan. 10 10:00 am – 12:30 pm Hickory Corners - KBS Jan. 15 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm

West Branch - Ogemaw Co. MSU Extension Jan. 16 10:00 am – 12:30 pm (EST)

Bark River - Island Resort & Casino Jan. 16 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm

Engadine - United Methodist Church Jan. 17 10:00 am – 12:30 pm Alpena - Alpena Community College Session attending:

____ Dec. 4 Bad Axe ____ Dec. 4 Sandusky ____ Dec. 11 St. Johns ____ Dec. 12 Lake City ____ Dec. 12 Lakeview ____ Dec. 13 Coopersville ____ Jan. 9 Coldwater ____ Jan. 9 Manchester ____ Jan. 10 Hickory Corners ____ Jan. 15 West Branch ____ Jan. 16 Bark River ____ Jan. 16 Engadine ____ Jan. 17 Alpena

16 December 2012

When most of us think of people that influence public opinion,

mainstream media personalities come to mind – Katie Couric, Anderson Cooper and Bill O’Reilly. But the typical dairy consumer isn’t famous, doesn’t have a personal hairstylist and has no idea how to use a teleprompter. These consumers are looking for a new type of news catered specifically to them and what they care about. They want news that’s local, real and from someone like them – hence the prevalence and popularity of bloggers.

Bloggers tend to field issues in conversational, real, down-to-earth ways that help readers connect to their messaging. They record day-to-day wit, wisdom and inspiration on websites (online journals) called blogs. Instead of having to pay for a subscription, blog subscribers receive e-mail or text message updates when their favorite blogs are updated… for free!

The Michigan Ag Council (MAC) capitalized on this new, personalized media outlet by hosting its first blogger tour October 18 in southeast Michigan with the goal of giving some Michigan “mommy bloggers” the chance to experience the dairy industry firsthand.

Seven bloggers as well as 11 MAC and industry representatives loaded the bus at 9 a.m. and set off for the farm of Earl and Diane Horning in Manchester. No stranger to farm tours, Earl led the group with the help of his daughter-in-law, Lynda. They explained the milking and storage process in detail, giving the bloggers a chance to feel the pulse of the milker, literally, first-finger. From calf care to rations, bedding to buildings, the Hornings led the bloggers through every facet of their operation, answering questions about organic milk, hormones and antibiotics along the way.

Lauren, a blogger and Pure Michigan Agriculture tour attendee, commented in her blog, Mrs. Weber’s Neighborhood, “Farmer Earl taught our group about his milking life, stressing the importance of animal care. These cows are well-loved, friends. And for a good reason — these little cuties are the family’s income. Why would they mistreat them? Putting a face to a local family making the milk I drink sure put things into perspective for me personally.”

Taking notes as the Hornings debunked some of the common dairy misconceptions, she goes on to say, “The testing that milk goes through is intense. It made me feel relieved — the milk we are drinking is safe, antibiotic-free, ya’ll.”

After the farm tour, the group boarded the bus and set off for the next step in the food chain – a milk

processing plant. Thanks to generous support from Kroger, the tour group was given a behind-the-scenes look at the Michigan Dairy – Kroger’s milk processing and bottling plant. Bloggers followed milk from the moment it was off loaded from the trucks to testing, pasteurization, homogenization, bottling and even churning to make other dairy

Bloggers Get Up-Close and Personal with Dairy First Pure Michigan Agriculture Bus Tour a Success

Pictured Above: MMPA member Earl Horning shows the bloggers how the milking attachment works. Below: Blogger Lisa Necora participates in a milk taste-test at the Kroger store.


products. Regina, another blogger, testified in her blog, The Crazy Nuts Mom, “After seeing all the testing and quality control that goes on with milk processed by Kroger, I am confident we are getting delicious, quality milk, while supporting our local farmers.”

Regina and some of the other bloggers were especially surprised at milk freshness. She explains, “A fact I found super interesting was the milk that comes on the truck in the morning, could be processed and sent out to the Kroger stores that same day, next day at the latest. Talk about farm fresh! I was very impressed and the employees in quality [assurance] are very proud of the product that they produce.”

The final stop on the day’s tour was a trip to Kroger for a milk tasting and Pure Michigan Agriculture lunch hosted in the dairy section. While shoppers perused for dinner ingredients, the bloggers enjoyed a Michigan-made lunch complete with BetterMade chips, Kroger dip, Hudsonville Creamery ice cream and of course, Pure Michigan milk. Kroger Manager of Integrated Communications, Dale Hollandsworth, explained the

company’s commitment to Michigan communities including its “Made in Michigan” labels and Pure Michigan Agriculture farm family signs in the dairy and produce sections.

On the surface, seven bloggers learned more about dairy and were able to connect a face to their gallon of milk, tub of sour cream and slice of cheese. Thinking bigger picture, with more than 9,500 combined followers, the bus tour was a chance to spread the real story behind dairy to thousands of consumers in a comfortable, high-trust environment.

MMPA member, dairy blogger and MAC bus tour participant Carla Wardin highlights the value of the event, “I think it’s great that MMPA and MAC are supporting tours like these, because the average person has no contact with farmers. Many have never been to a farm, met a farmer or seen how milk goes from the farm to the store. These bloggers not only learned about it personally, but they then shared that positive experience with all their readers. I hope this program is replicated for years to come.”

The MAC bus tour was funded with a special project grant from

the United Soybean Board through the Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee (a member of MAC).

Two other MAC partners, MMPA and Kroger, assisted in arranging the farm tour and handling the plant and store tour logistics.

Becky Cunningham, MAC program coordinator, reiterates that the dairy bus tour is just the beginning of new media opportunities to publicize agriculture. “As a coalition working to build consumer confidence in agriculture, we will continue to share the ag message where most consumers are: online. Doing so requires similar tours and events to create a firsthand experience that gets people talking.”

True, the chances of getting Katie Couric and Bill O’Reilly on a Michigan dairy farm are slim. But, engaging local, passionate bloggers in a two-way discussion about dairy products can pay equally large dividends. With a large virtual footprint, seven bloggers reached hundreds and possibly thousands of dairy consumers all with a click of a mouse.

MAC is made up of diverse commodity groups and ag businesses working together to build awareness among Michigan consumers about today’s food and agriculture. Their efforts revolve around educating Michigan consumers about their food and connecting them with the hard working men and women who grow, process, manufacture and sell it.

Bloggers Get Up-Close and Personal with Dairy First Pure Michigan Agriculture Bus Tour a Success

Pictured above: Visiting Michigan Dairy was a unique opportunity for the bloggers and opened their eyes to the strict quality and testing procedures followed at the dairy. Pictured right: Dale Hollandsworth with Kroger explains how Kroger embraces Pure Michigan labeling to help consumers find Michigan products.

18 December 2012

More than 100 local officers, OYDCs and dairy

communicators met for the MMPA annual Leaders’ Conference at the Kellogg Center in East Lansing on November 19. Armed with paper, pens and plenty of questions, MMPA leaders spent the day discussing the co-op’s current outlook, industry hot topics and future issues of importance in preparation for the upcoming local meeting season.

“It’s not easy to leave your farm and travel all the way to Lansing for a day of meetings. But, we’re not just dairy farmers. We’re members of a co-op. It’s our responsibility to stay up-to-date on what our co-op is doing and how they are representing us. That’s why Leaders’ Conference is so important,” Barry Eaton/Lansing Local Dairy Communicator Heather Wing attests.

The conference kicked-off with a welcome – complete with a few post-election jokes – from MMPA Vice President and conference chair Bob Kran. Bob introduced the morning’s first speaker, the Director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Jamie Clover Adams.

Covering a breadth of recent successes and future goals, Director Clover Adams gave attendees some insight into MDARD’s dairy and agriculture industry priorities. “By 2015, we aim to increase MAEAP verifications from 1,000 to 5,000 and double our ag exports. These initiatives go hand-in-hand. We have room to export more dairy, but we can’t grow unless we show people our food is safe and produced in an environmentally-conscious way,” she relays.

In addition to outlining plans for the future, the director also covered some tangible steps MDARD is taking to make these goals a reality. The department has reaffirmed its relationship with the Michigan

Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), sharing funding for an MEDC-based agriculture specialist.

She shared that 12 new local conservation district technicians will join the MDARD ranks to assist in MAEAP verifications and on-farm consultations in 2013. She implores MMPA members, “We have a big goal to expand MAEAP. But we need your help to accomplish it! Contact one of our district technicians. There’s no downside to starting the conversation.”

She also confirmed MDARD will resume milk safety inspection responsibilities for all Michigan dairy farms by March 1, 2013.

A presentation from MMPA General Manager Clay Galarneau followed, expanding on the co-op’s current economic situation. He explains to members, “We’ve marketed 200 million more pounds of milk in 2012 than in 2011. Our cooperative SCC is one of the best in the nation with a 176,000 annual average.”

Clay highlighted national and state production and cow number changes as well as export volumes of butter, nonfat dry milk and whole milk powder. He also announced that

MMPA is currently the front runner in the U.S. race to complete the nation’s first milk powder packaging gas flush system. “This technology would allow us to extend the shelf life of our whole milk powder from six months to 18. It could give us a major leg-up on the competition,” he comments.

A brief recap of the 2012 Breakfast on the Farm season coupled with pictures from the ongoing addition project to Ovid’s waste water treatment facility rounded out Clay’s presentation. He finished describing MMPA’s partnership with two consulting organizations to analyze the need for further dairy processing expansion efforts.

Then MMPA President Ken Nobis took over the program, giving an update on the industry’s legislative and promotional efforts. From the CWT program to approved the dairy referendum, UDIM promotional banner ads to the REAL seal, Ken offered background and action items moving forward. “We still don’t have a farm bill and a safety net for dairy farmers. It’s not too late! Contact your congressmen and explain the impact of the Farm Bill’s expiration,” he compels.

MMPA Leaders Gather to Prepare for Local Meetings2012 Leaders’ Conference

MMPA members get the chance to visit with other dairy farmers during the day-long event.


He also announced 61 percent of MMPA’s milk supply is now enrolled in the National Dairy FARM Program with a pledge to reach 65 percent by December 31, 2012. Wrapping up his portion of the program, Ken announced the 2012 MMPAC Challenge winner… the Battle Creek-Homer Local! Up to $1,000 will be donated to the local’s choice of one of five charity organizations or youth foundations.

The conference continued with a luncheon chaired by 2012 OYDC Kris and Carla Wardin. MMPA scholarship recipients were introduced, a report was given by 2012 Senior Dairy Ambassador Britney Zondlak, four complimentary registrations to the Great Lakes Regional Dairy Conference were awarded and Editor/Publisher of Inside Michigan Politics Bill Ballenger offered remarks on life after the election. “Honestly, after the election the overall makeup of Congress stayed the same and the overall makeup of the state legislature remained the same. So after spending $150 million on defeated ballot proposals, we’re basically in the same spot we were before the election,” Ballenger summarizes.

Attendees moved back to the auditorium after lunch for the final presentation of the day, “Sustainability as a Business

Strategy.” Sara H. Harper, a partner with Vela Environmental in Washington, D.C., tells MMPA leaders, “Sustainability really started with Wal-Mart. They had a desire to embed sustainability in the supply chain without costing consumers money. Every other sector – manufacturing, transportation, packaging – can be boiled down to energy and water usage. But the big question mark is the material input. The farm level is the missing link in product lifecycle evaluation for food products.”

While many think sustainability means making drastic, business-limiting changes, Sara commended the agricultural industry. “Agriculture realized a long time ago that efficiency carries with it significant environmental and social benefits. So really, we’re already sustainable. It’s just a matter of articulating that to our corporate customers.”

Sara wrapped-up the day confirming a demand for farm-specific traceability is coming. She elaborates, “This push is coming from corporations, not the legislature. In the legislature, it’s harder to make bad policy because there’s minority protection. And that’s what you are as agriculture – the minority. So we must define ourselves in terms of traceability and sustainability, or someone else will.”

All in all, the day was packed with information, graphs and facts. Attendees left equipped not only for local meeting season, but encouraged. Chippewa County Local President Dave Folkersma recaps, “I attended the Leaders’ Conference to meet with the directors and get an update on the milk prices, political happenings and learn how the industry is doing. I also enjoyed hearing about the OYDCs and scholarship recipients. It’s encouraging to see how enthusiastic and passionate our future farmers are.”

MMPAC Challenge Winners

For the fourth year-running, congratulations to the Battle Creek-Homer Local for winning the 2012 “MMPA Challenge!” The Battle Creek-Homer Local had the highest percentage of members contribute to the Michigan Milk Political Action Committee during the recent fundraising campaign. They will receive a matching gift of up to $1,000 to the local’s choice of one of five charity organizations or youth foundations. Thank you to all members who have contributed to the MMPAC!

Pictured above: Leaders’ Conference speakers included MDARD Director Jaime Clover Adams (left), Editor/Publisher of Inside Michigan Politics Bill Ballenger (center) and Partner at Vela Environmental Sara H. Harper (right).

20 December 2012

Living a Dairy ParadoxMargie Weiss ~ District 10

The world is filled with oxymorons – two very different things that

don’t seem to go together. Like jumbo shrimp, plastic glasses and, my personal favorite, tax returns.

District 10 OYDC Margie Weiss’s family farm – nestled in quaint, historic, “Little Bavaria” Frankenmuth – is creating its own pleasant paradox of honoring hundreds of years of history while embracing the most contemporary innovation.

Pulling off quiet Weiss Road onto the farm’s driveway, it almost seems like you’re stepping back in time. Sure, new siding covers the 120 year-old hip roof barn (the largest of its kind in mid-Michigan) and the houses have seen some updates. But the 159 year-old farmstead purchased

in 1853 by Margie’s great, great, great grandfather Johann Weiss still holds part of the family’s original home.

Yet, six generations later, some consider Weiss Centennial Farm to be a statewide dairy innovator. And it only takes a peek into the milking parlor to see why.

Innovation is Our Middle Name

“We installed our Lely Astronaut robotic milker in 2011 (affectionately named Johann after the farm’s founder). It has changed everything! Instead of milking with six milkers in our 33-stanchion barn, the cows milk themselves, giving me more time to focus on maximizing our production. It gives us flexibility and more time to expand other aspects of our farm,”

Margie explains.

She’s been working on her parent’s farm full-time since the spring of 2010 after graduating from the Michigan State Dairy Management Ag Tech program and Lansing Community College with an associate’s degree in applied animal science. Margie is charged with executing daily cow care, keeping herd records, AI breeding, doing calf chores and monitoring herd heath.

Margie is employed by her father, Roger, who oversees the family business and mother, Joanmarie, who keeps track of the farm’s books. She works alongside her brother, Scott, who also helps with cropping as well as equipment upkeep and is a Lely certified technician. Margie’s younger sister, Lydia, is studying culinary arts

By Alex Schnabelrauch


and plans to work farther along the food value chain.

As the primary herdsperson, Margie’s challenge is to use the wealth of data provided by the robot. “The best thing about Johann [the robot] is he gives me the numbers I need to use my MSU degree and make better management decisions. The robot’s software focuses on individual cow management and helps me make educated herd management decisions,” she attests.

But Johann is just the beginning. Boasting National Dairy FARM Program, MAEAP and CNMP certifications, Weiss Centennial Farm prides itself on adopting modern practices.

“With just 60 milking cows and 250 acres, it might seem like we’re stuck in the past. But, really, we’re bucking the norm and proving that small farms can still survive. We just had to find our niche to make our manageable herd size profitable,” Margie proudly affirms.

Jill of All Trades

After purchasing Johann the robot, Margie’s milking schedule was cleared for other ventures to help add value and profitability to the family farm. She beams, “In 2009, I took a one-week course on hoof trimming from Dairyland Hoofcare Institute. I bought a Comfort Care upright hoof chute and now run a hoof trimming business on the side trimming hooves for 12-15 farms a couple of times a year.”

As if one side business wasn’t enough, Margie also runs a custom breeding service. These off-the-farm endeavors don’t just offer additional income, she describes, “I get to see other farms and bring their good ideas back to improve our own. It helps me see new things and think outside the box to improve our operation.”

A multitude of responsibilities at

home coupled with running two side businesses of her own, this 22-year-old dairy cooperator still loves what she gets up to do every day. “It’s fun! I like the cows and it’s nice to be your own boss with no strict, fixed schedule. I really enjoy the family aspect and I get to spend every day working with my family towards a common goal.”

Heart for Education

As an MMPA Dairy Communicator, Margie has been working with her mother for years promoting dairy

products. From helping three local schools write Fuel Up to Play 60 grants to handing out milk at local fairs and 5Ks, attending career fairs to promoting dairy and the family farm on Facebook and a blog (http://frankenmuthfarm.com), education is in the Weiss’ genes.

“During a presentation we asked the kids to give some examples of dairy products. They answered with milk, cheese and yogurt. Then one of the parents responded, ‘Eggs!’ She thought since eggs are in the dairy case at the grocery store, they must be

Continued on page 22

Pictured Above: Margie and her family are continuing the heritage of the generations before them on their centennial farm. (Lower left) Margie is involved in all of the day -to-day activities on the farm. (Lower right) The Weiss family are active MMPA members and proud family farmers.

22 December 2012

dairy products. These people are so far removed from the farm, and we aren’t in Chicago or New York City. We live in a rural community and still people don’t understand,” Margie passionately relays.

This experience, and many others like it, has prompted Margie and her family to open their doors for farm tours – hosting approximately 4,500 people since the robot was installed. But again, the Weiss family didn’t stop there.

They’re currently completing the second season as owners of the Frankenmuth Corn Maze. An ideal location relatively close to the downtown tourist district, this year’s

theme was, “Milk – Always a Good Choice.” Margie and her family not only entertain, but educate corn maze visitors with 22 agricultural-literacy game stations. The maze has welcomed 4,250 visitors since it opened in September 2011.

Finding Her Niche Between “Then” and “Now”

Hosting German heritage baking classes in the farm’s 100 year-old “retirement home” sharply contrasts with managing the Weiss herd using high-tech software which tracks each cow’s temperature, activity and milk

output and conductivity. Nevertheless, Margie not only enjoys, but thrives living with one foot anchored in the traditions of the past and the other reaching for the newest, most innovative practices of tomorrow.

“In the future, we might install another robot and expand our tourism side of the business. It’s so important to give people the chance to see a real working farm and help them appreciate what farmers do on a daily basis. I love sharing my family’s long history of dairy farming and writing our newest legacy one innovation at a time.”

When you notice a new mastitis case show up in your herd, do

you see your glass of milk being half full or half empty?

It might seem half empty because new mastitis cases are a reliable indicator of your progress towards milk quality. When you start to decrease the number of new infections in your herd, you are starting to target the root cause of the problem and not just reactively treating mastitis cases. Before long your glass of milk will be overflowing.

The potential for maximizing your milk quality and fixing the root of milk quality problems starts with a great team operating together with consistent procedures on the dairy, everyday. And we can help! Your farm will quickly realize the far-reaching benefits of consistently and reliably producing a high quality dairy product that keeps dairy consumers thirsting for more.

MMPA’s Milker Training Schools!

Ask around and see for yourself how rewarding attending a Milker Training School could be for you and your employees. In today’s dairy industry, every penny matters and we know our producers strive to obtain the highest quality not only for the economic benefits, but for improved

product quality as well. But you don’t have to do it alone.

The MTS Team will use hands-on demonstrations to show you just how vital a consistent and excellent milking routine is everyday on a dairy operation.

This FREE hands-on learning experience offers our members a realistic, one-of-a-kind educational opportunity.

We want to educate you in an environment where you can best learn the simple techniques that will benefit your herd’s somatic cell count.

Hablas Español?

Venga! Come and learn in an environment that can maximize your potential! MMPA offers Spanish Milker Training Schools as well.

Look for the 2013 MMPA Milker Training School dates and locations in the January Messenger.

By: Kendra Kissane

Milker Training School — Offering hands-on training for members and their employees

Continued from page 21

MMPA member representatives use makeshift udders and milking equipment to teach proper milking prep and mastitis management.

MMPA member representative Katie Pierson demonstrates how to properly singe udder hair.


Local Date Place Location TimeBarry-Eaton/Lansing

Saturday, December 1 Grace Community Church Nashville 12 noon

Kalamazoo Tuesday, December 4 Old Country Buffet Kalamazoo 11 a.m.

Upstate Tuesday, December 4 Ellsworth Christian Reformed Church

Ellsworth 11 a.m.

Menominee-Vacationland

Wednesday, December 5 Belgiumtown Restaurant Stephenson 12 noon C.S.T.

Battle Creek-Homer

Wednesday, December 5 Cedar Crest Banquet Center Marshall 12 noon

Western U.P. Thursday, December 6 Wahlstrom’s Restaurant Harvey 11:15 a.m.

Chippewa Co. Friday, December 7 Rudyard Christian Reformed Church Education Building

Rudyard 12 noon

Sunrise Tuesday, December 18 K of C Hall Standish 11:45 a.m.

Alma Friday, January 4 Maxfield’s Restaurant Wyman 11:30 a.m.

Mid-Michigan Friday, January 4 Clinton County RESA St. Johns 11:45 a.m.

Huron Saturday, January 5 Franklin Inn Bad Axe 11:30 a.m.

Deford/Clifford-Mayville

Monday, January 7 Liz’s American Diner Caro 12 noon

Frankenmuth Tuesday, January 8 Black Forest Restaurant Frankenmuth 12 noon

Adrian Tuesday, January 8 Rome Grange Hall Adrian 12 noon

Grand Rapids Wednesday, January 9 Golden Corral Walker 12 noon

Flint/Livingston Charter/Owosso

Wednesday, January 9 Gigi’s Banquet Center Corunna 12 noon

Hillman Friday, January 11 Hillman Community Center Hillman 11:30 a.m.

West Michigan Friday, January 11 Zeeland Township Hall Vriesland 11:30 a.m.

Dairyland Friday, January 11 Exit 57 Carson City 12 noon

Constantine Saturday, January 12 Siloam Fellowship Hall Goshen 10:30 a.m.

St. Clair-Macomb-Lapeer

Wednesday, January 16 Holly Meadows Golf Course Capac 11:30 a.m.

Ingham Co. Wednesday. January 16 City Limits Mason 10:30 a.m.

Evart Thursday, January 17 Rehoboth Reformed Church McBain 11 a.m.

Muskegon Thursday, January 17 Russ’ Banquet Room Muskegon 11:30 a.m.

Clare/Mt. Pleasant

Friday, January 18 Church of Nazarene Clare 11 a.m.

Deckerville Saturday, January 19 Deckerville Diner Deckerville 12 noon

Saline-Ann Arbor Tuesday, January 22 Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds Ann Arbor 12 noon

Jackson Co. Plus Wednesday, January 23 Gene Davis & Sons Jackson 12 noon

Mid-Sanilac Wednesday, January 23 Liberty Lanes Sandusky 12 noon

Hillsdale-Litchfield

Thursday, January 24 Hillsdale County Fairgrounds Hillsdale 12 noon

Blossomland Friday, January 25 Zeke’s Restaurant Dowagiac 12:30 p.m.

Brown City-Marlette

Saturday, January 26 Eddie-Gs Marlette 12 noon

2012 -13 MMPA Local Meetings

24 December 2012

Adrian Local President: Clark Emmons V. President: Jim Marvin Sec/Treas: Gary Stout Dairy Communicators: Geraldine Emmons, Joy Marvin & Maria Marvin

Alma Local President: Doug Chapin V. President: Mike Rasmussen Sec/ Treas: Missy Prins Dairy Communicators: Cheri Chapin, Ramona Okkema & Missy Prins

Barry-Eaton Local President: Jeff Butler V. President: Tim Slocum Sec/Treas: Sally Bivens Dairy Communicators: Sally Bivens & Heather Wing

Battle Creek-Homer Local President: Brad Crandall V. President: Steve Cary Sec/Treas: Dan Williams Dairy Communicator: Michele Klingaman

Blossomland Local President: Jerry Koebel Jr. V. President: Tim Villwock Sec /Treas: Tim Villwock Dairy Communicator: Angie Villwock

Brown City-Marlette Local President: Dale Phillips V. President: Dan Parr Sec/Treas: Dale Philips Dairy Communicators: Rita Phillips, Barb Radloff & Gertie Van Den Goor

Chippewa County Local President: David Folkersma V. President: David Bell Sec/Treas: Loren Hoolsema Dairy Communicators: Tammy Bell & Ann Folkersma

Clare-Mt. Pleasant Local President: Phil Newman President: Bill Stough V. President: Phil Gross V. President: Scott Kleinhardt Secretary: Tom Fox Sec /Treas: Bertha Mae Stough Treasurer: Doug Stevens Dairy Communicators: Bertha Mae Stough & Michelle Stough

Constantine Local President: Richard Ultz V. President: Clyde S. Miller Sec/Treas: Richard Thomas Dairy Communicator: Judy Oesch

Dairyland Local President: Del Christensen Sec /Treas: Brent Wilson

Deckerville Local President: Michael Erdman V. President: John Szymanski Sr. Sec/Treas: Dennis Lee Dairy Communicator: Sara Lee

Deford/Clifford-Mayville Local President: Ray Wolak V. President: Calvin Bodeis Sec/Treas: Alice Zajac Dairy Communicators: Diane Foley & Jane Wood

Evart Local President: Gordon Dick V. President: William Jernstadt Sec/Treas: Larry Buning Dairy Communicators: Ken DeZeeuw & Amy Martin

Flint Local V. President: Roger Bloss Sec/Treas: Dan Weil

Frankenmuth Local President: Larry Schumacher V. President: Dennis Hetzner Sec/ Treas: Roger Weiss Dairy Communicators: Amy Bergdolt, Debra Krafft, Barb Wardin, & Joanmarie Weiss

Grand Rapids Local President: Jim Good V. President: Ken Leseman Sec/Treas: Gary Potgeter Dairy Communicator: Kay Willcome

Hillman Local President: Corby Werth V. President: Jeremy Werth Sec/Treas: Ron Lucas Dairy Communicators: Katie Dellar, Connie Lucas & Janel Woodward

Hillsdale-Litchfield Local President: Scott Ferry V. President: Bruce Lewis Sec/Treas: Carlton Evans Dairy Communicators: Jennifer Lewis & Cami Marz-Evans

2012-13 MMPA Local Officers


2012-13 MMPA Local Officers Huron Local President: Mark Ziel V. President: Tim Kubacki Secretary: Shelly Messing Treasurer: Darwin Sneller Dairy Communicators: Debbie Kubacki, Lorelei Lutz, Shelly Messing & Barb Siemen

Ingham County Local President: Josh Lott V. President: John Powell Sec / Treas: Lynn Powell Dairy Communicator: Evelyn Minnis

Jackson County Plus Local President: Hank Choate V. Pres / Sec / Treas: Arthur Riske Dairy Communicator: Kathy Heisler

Kalamazoo Local President: Don Bever V. President: Charles Wamhoff Sec/Treas: Francis Burr Dairy Communicators: Sharon Burr & Tammy Spicher

Lansing Local President: Jim Droscha V. President: Daniel Ritter Sec/Treas: Kristina Langmaack Dairy Communicators: Stavey Edick & Kristina Langmaack

Livingston Charter Local President: Scott Bontekoe V. President: Chuck White Sec /Treas: Janet White Dairy Communicator: Jodi Hill

Menominee-Vacationland Local President: Robert Barron V. President: Scott Mellgren Sec/Treas: Eleanore Bloniarz Dairy Communicator: Eleanore Bloniarz

Mid-Michigan Local President: John Hufnagel V. President: Aaron Gasper Sec/Treas: Kris Wardin Dairy Communicators: Shirley Hazle, Patti Jandernoa, Doreen Slavik, & Carla Wardin

Mid-Sanilac Local President: James Heberling V. President: Jeremy Sharrard Sec/Treas: Mike Bender Dairy Communicators: Lisa Alexander, Jordan Noll & Jody Sharrard

Muskegon Local President: Bill Stakenas V. President: Glen Sparks Sec/Treas: Sharron Powers Dairy Communicators: Nancy Johnson & Terri Stakenas

Owosso Local President: Matt Dutcher V. President: David Reed Sec/Treas: David Reed Dairy Communicator: Penny Reed

Saline-Ann Arbor Local President: Jeff Horning V. President: Stan Lambarth Sec/Treas: Keith Weidmayer Dairy Communicators: Arlene DeForest & Lynda Horning

St. Clair-Macomb-Lapeer Local President: William Ankley President: Scott Lamb V. President: Mark Falker V. President: Robert Kaufman Sec/Treas: Virginia Ankley Sec/Treas: William Blumerich Dairy Communicators: Virginia Ankley, Robin Falker, Kristie Lamb, Melissa Small & Doris Stuever

Sunrise Local President: Kenneth Daniels V. President: Dan Fisk Treasurer: Jeff Jakubik Dairy Communicators: Leona Daniels & Julie Schwab

Upstate Local President: Glenn Rubingh V. President: Marv Rubingh Sec / Treas: Gail Rubingh Dairy Communicators: Gail Rubingh & Sylvia Verville

West Michigan Local President: Paul Elzinga V. President: Norm Ter Haar Secretary: Bill Gruppen Treasurer: David Pyle Dairy Communicators: Jenny Elzinga & Arlene Ter Haar

Western U.P. Local President: Gary Palosaari V. President: Steve Cotey Sec/Treas: Benny Herioux Dairy Communicators: Barbara Cotey, Audrey Herioux, Gerald Miron & Karen Palosaari

26 December 2012

“My beef checkoff canencourage healthy eating with lean beef.”

A new study called BOLD – Beef in an Optimal Lean Diet – shows that adding lean beef to the most recommended heart-healthy diet can lower heart disease risk by reducing levels of total and LDL cholesterol.

“That’s why the Michigan Beef Industry Commission put the ‘BE BOLD With Lean Beef ’ ad in medical publications like Triad and Michigan Medicine,” says Bret Schapman, cattle feeder from Almont and director of the MBIC.

“The checkoff puts the BOLD research into the hands of health professionals who can use it to showcase how lean beef can maintain and even improve heart health.”

My beef checkoff… setting the record straight about beef ’s benefit in a heart-healthy diet.

Bret Schapman

Funded by the Beef Checkoff.

Get to know your checkoff. Visit www.MIBEEF.org or call 517-347-0911

Bret SchapmanAlmont, MI


BE BOLDWITH LEAN BEEF

Heard the good news about lean beef? The latest research presents a new way of thinking:lean beef can be part of a solution to one of America’s greatest health challenges—eatingfor a healthy heart. A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found thatparticipants in the BOLD (Beef in an Optimal Lean Diet) study experienced a 10% decreasein LDL cholesterol from baseline when they ate lean beef daily as part of a heart-healthydiet and lifestyle containing less than 7% of calories from saturated fat.*1

Setting the Record StraightThis ground-breaking clinical study substituted lean beef for white meat as part of an overall heart-healthy diet and found the improvements in LDL cholesterol seen on the beef-containing diets were just as effective as DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension).

MANY LEAN CUTSLean beef is easily served with vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy—improving taste, satisfaction and providing essential nutrients. And many of the most popular cuts of beef—like Top Sirloin steak, Tenderloin and 95% lean Ground Beef—meet the government guidelines for lean.

TEN ESSENTIAL NUTRIENTSPacked with high-quality protein, lean beef provides a satisfying, nutrient-rich experience. A 3-ounce serving of lean beef contains 150 calories on average and is a good or excellent source of ten essential nutrients, including iron, zinc and B-vitamins.2

PART OF A HEART-HEALTHY PLAN PATIENTS WILL LOVELean beef can be a deliciously welcome and satisfying choice in a heart-healthy diet. Help yourpatients increase meal fl exibility by including lean beef among other heart-healthy choices on theirshopping lists.

Learn more about the many nutritional and heart health benefi ts of lean beef at:

®

Funded byThe Beef Checkoff

* Subjects that consumed the BOLD diet experienced a 10.1% decrease in LDL cholesterol compared to baseline. In comparison to the Healthy American Diet, subjects experienced a 4.7% decrease in LDL cholesterol on the BOLD diet.

1 Roussell MA, Hill AM, Gaugler TL, West SG, Vanden Heuvel JP, Alaupovic P, Gillies PJ, and Kris-Etherton PM. Beef in an Optimal Lean Diet study: effects on lipids, lipoproteins, and apolipoproteins. Am J Clin Nutr 2012; 95(1):9-16.

2 USDA, ARS. 2011. USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 24. Nutrient Data Laboratory Home Page, http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/search/

The Michigan Beef Industry Commissionwww.mibeef.org

Scan to view the BOLD fact sheet

®

28 December 2012

“Thank you for your efforts to pass the Farm Bill. We’ve been on a journey since the dark days of 2009 to provide a better safe-ty net for dairy farmers. We are nearing the end of our journey, but couldn’t have done it without our co-ops and our members.” – Randy Mooney, NMPF Chair

“If you’re calling your members of Congress, the four-letter words you probably want to use are not Farm Bill. But we have to. They respond not only to our sto-ries and struggles, but to volume.” –RyanBennett,NMPFDirectorofGovernment Relations

“Exports are a key factor for the growth of the U.S. dairy industry. We’ve bud-geted $35 million for export assistance, and through September, that invest-ment has helped move the equivalent of 2.16 billion pounds of milk overseas. And CWT has added $.43 to the all-milk price.” –JimTillison,CEOofCWT

“NMPF is now licensed to manage the REAL Seal. It’s consistent with our initia-tives to protect the integrity of dairy products. Our goals include revamping the website to focus on consumers and to expand the seal’s uses by adding descrip-tors.” –TomBalmer,NMPFExecutiveVicePresident

“Fifty percent of all farmsemployimmigrantlaborand 67 percent of U.S. milk comes from farms that employ immigrants. But immigration is tough to talk about; it’s politically toxic. So reform must be a grassroots effort. We’ll have to unite with business and exert a concerted political will to change the conversa-tion from ideology to economics.” –JaimeCastaneda,NMPFSeniorVicePresidentofStrategic InitiativesandTradePolicy

“We’ve reduced the percentage of bulk milk tanks testing positive for antibiotic residues from .1 percent in 1995 to .021 percent in 2011. Antibiotic tissue resi-dues were also reduced by 55 percent from 2007-2011.” –BethBriczinski,NMPFDirectorofDairyFoodsandNutrition

“We live in a world where it’s survival of the fittest. Be willing to change or be willing to perish. Everysuccessfulbusinessneedsadreamer – who creative-ly comes up with innovative ideas – and a doer – the person who makes the dream a reality. One without the other creates imbalance and failure.” –DougLipp,PresidentofG.DouglasLipp&Associates

“Partners make each other better. Our check-off can’t do it alone. We need the added muscle of the industry to advance our goals and priorities.” –PaulRovey,DairyManagementInc.

NMPF/NDB/UDIA Joint Annual Meeting Snapshot Recap

From a candid conversation with National Milk Producers Federation staff during a town hall meeting to an inspirational message from college basketball analyst Dick Vitale, a panel discussion on the dairy checkoff program to an update on strategic dairy marketing partnerships with CEOs from Dominos and Quaker, it’s hard to sum up a year’s worth of updates and recaps on a couple of pages. So instead of putting the conference into our own words, we’ll let the presenters speak for themselves. Experience the Joint Annual Meeting with this quote recap of the NMPF/National Dairy Board/United Dairy Industry Association Joint Annual Meeting hosted in Lake Buena Vista, Florida on October 28-31.

“And the best way to deal with that future is being proactive, always doing the right things, and most importantly, taking care of our own.” – Jerry Kozak, NMPF PresidentandCEO

“


“Dairy farmers are champs. C – for courage. H – for heart. A – for attitude. M – for mental toughness. P – for pride. I’ve learned that passionplusworkethicplusgooddecisionsequal success in the game of life.” –DickVitale,CollegeBasketball Analyst

“Thank you! The partnership has been extraor-dinary and we have certainly moved a whole lot more dairy since our partnership began. Since our partnership began, 6.6billionincrementalpoundsofmilk has been sold in the pizza cat-egory. Making our product taste better meant adding more dairy. Period.” –PatrickDoyle,PresidentandCEOof DominosPizza®

“The Farm Bill is on top of our list of priorities, but there are many issues that affect dairy farmers from across the country. The National FARM Pro-gram shows the food value chain how dairy is produced. We need more farms, more co-ops and more companies to commit to this program.” – Randy Mooney, NMPF Chair

“We’re going into election night not knowing who will be President. It re-flectsdeepdivisioninthecountry that frankly, is not healthy. But I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know.” —StuRothenberg,EditorandPublisherof Rothenberg Political Report

“We were inspired by your partnership with Dominos and McDonalds and wanted to start exploring ways to add dairy to our grains. Since only 30 percent of Americans make their oatmeal with milk, we’ve launched the ‘MakeitwithMilk’ campaign. It’s good for everybody. It’s good for your industry. It’s good for us. It’s good for grain growers. And most important-ly, it’s good for consumers.” –JoseLuisPrado,PresidentofQuaker FoodsandSnacks

“Dairy farmer checkoff is the foundation of dairy companies and our part-nerships. It drives demand and increases sales. We’ve used $200 million of your checkoff dollars to garner $600 million of other companies’ and coun-tries’ money to amplify our efforts and move more dairy.” –TomGallagher,CEOofDairyManagementInc.

Pictured above: “Can fluid milk be saved?” panel discussion featuring (l-r) former president of Farmland Dairies LLC Terri Webb, Select Milk Producers CEO Mike McCloskey, Darigold, Inc. President and CEO Jim Wegner, HP Hood LLC Chairman John Kaneb and Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy® President Barbara O’Brien.

MMPA Members and Employees Honored at NMPF MeetingSeveral MMPA members and employees were honored at the NMPF/UDIA/NDB annual meeting. Recognitions include: MMPA president Ken Nobis was re-elected First Vice Chairman of the NMPF board of directors, MMPA OYDCs Chris and Karla Wardin were elected chair-couple of the NMPF YC Advisory Council and MMPA employees Dean Letter and Alex Schnabelrauch received awards in the NMPF Communications competition. Dean’s Quality Watch article received a third place award and Alex received a first place and best of show award for feature writing. Congratulations to these MMPA members and employees on their NMPF recognitions.

30 December 2012

This October, Kris and I attended the National Milk Producers

Federation annual meeting in Orlando, Florida.

Each year, the young cooperators (YCs) get together for two days before the full-group meeting and participate in a program that aims to educate and engage people of our generation.

With the meeting’s goal of ‘Securing Dairy’s Future,’ the day began with a panel focused on the financial aspect of the dairy business.

First, Gary Matteson from Farm Credit talked about farmers markets and direct-to-retail options for farms. He was surprised that none of us in the room were selling at farmers markets – which is a testament to how well it works for dairy farms to sell to cooperatives. Rick Hermonot, a Farm Credit business consultant, discussed benchmarking and how it’s important to set financial goals. He explained the process he uses with clients – sitting down with them and getting their numbers, comparing those numbers to the top 20 percent of farms and seeing where that farm stands in comparison.

The final panel member was

Sarah Leonard from Al-Mara Farms. She lives outside of Washington, D.C. and hosts 50-300 kids a day on her family’s farm. They have diversified their business into a lot of agri-tourism options, like a corn maze, races and pumpkins. She gave the consultant all of her numbers and we walked through the analysis together. The consultant urged her to follow her passion on the farm, which was the education aspect. Her dad has been milking the cows but is uninterested in doing it any longer. The entire exercise was designed to indicate that the numbers in a business are the bottom line, and it’s imperative to know your profit margins, your benchmarks and your goals. If you’re new to the business and you’re in line to take over, the consultants emphasized: start taking responsibility now.

After the financials, the next panel discussed robotic milkers. The YCs’ knowledge of them ran the gamut from never having seen one before to currently using them on their farms.

Lely spokesman Ben Smink explained how robots work, while Charlie

Knigge, who installed the first robot in the U.S. in 2000, discussed the history of them on his farm. Tom Oesch explained how he and his family came to the decision to install them at SwissLane Dairy Farms in Alto, Michigan.

The YCs had lots of questions and discussed everything from feed rations to technical software details to altered employee responsibilities.

The day’s final panel was pretty somber. Krissa Welshans, who works with the Animal Agriculture Alliance, went through a presentation detailing the players in the Humane Society of the United States, PETA and other organizations that are working to put an end to animal agriculture.

Jon Rulfs of Adirondack Farms in Peru, New York told his tragic story of being targeted by PETA. He unknowingly employed a PETA devotee who staged and filmed incriminating video on his farm and released it to the media. Mr. Rulfs told what he did to defend himself – such as tell his side of the story, invite anyone to see his farm and get

Securing Dairy’s Future 2012 NMPF Young Cooperators Conference

By Carla Wardin

MMPA OYDCs travelled to Orlando for the NMPF YC Meeting. (Pictured l-r) Jeremy and Jody Sharrard; Josh and Leslie Lott; and Carla and Kris Wardin.

Jeremy and Jody Sharrard served on the 2012 NMPF YC Advisory Committee and helped to plan and host the 2012 Conference.


his veterinarian and other character witnesses involved. It was very moving and instructive, as we all saw how easily a determined individual could abuse animals on film and blame you for it.

As a finish, Bill Zucker discussed how the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance helps farmers learn how to talk about farming in ways the public finds instructive and positive.

After the day’s meetings, we had a visit from Mickey Mouse, a kid and adult costume contest, dance lessons and the best – a glow-in-the-dark volleyball game (which was a first for everyone there) and s’mores on the beach!

The next morning’s speaker was ranch owner Sarabeth Barthle-Simmons. She told her story of how the estate tax crippled her family business, especially when her grandfather’s gifts were taxed after his death, when the IRS ruled that the monetary gifts he gave were

made under “contemplation of death.” She urged us all to work to get the death tax revoked and barring that, get our own affairs in order.

The purpose of the YC program is to educate and build leadership in young farmers, and the programming certainly assists in that. Perhaps the best part of the meeting is talking with other young farmers who are also excited about their businesses, energized by current events and eager to discuss what’s going on in their part of the country. As we all take that enthusiasm back to our respective farms, it has an impact across the nation on our attitudes and

actions. We’d like to thank MMPA for giving us the opportunity to attend.

As we finished the YC part of the program, we were herded into the general meeting by a staffer ringing a cow bell. No matter your age, some tools work perfectly.

“A full service insurance agency”

We specialize in Farms and offer a full range of coverages to serve all of your insurance needs.

• Competitive – Farmowners.

• Co-op Members in good standing receive additional premium discounts on Farmowners policy.

• Group Medical – Regardless of health conditions for 2 plus groups.

• Low Cost Term Life “Debt Protection.”

616.656.7260 [email protected]

Kris and Carla Wardin (center) were elected chair couple of the NMPF YC Council. They are pictured above with the entire 2013 NMPF YC Council.

32 December 2012

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

Order Your MMPA Merchandise through your milk

hauler or call:Supervisor:

Duane Farmer 989-681-2334

Fax: 989-681-3988

Toll Free: 877-367-6455Orders (Novi) 800-572-5824

then dial 2

Disposable Gloves Available

REGISTERED HOLSTEIN BULLS

a special herd sire or a truck load of breeder bulls. ready to go to work on your farm!

GREEN MEADOW FARMS

• sired by the top sires from the u.s. and canada

• from our top production cows.

www.greenmeadowfarms.com

6400 hollister rd.elsie, mi 48831

ph: 989-862-4291

over 100 service age bulls for your selection!

Description Sizes Stock Number Material Member PriceDiamond GripPowder free

XLGLG

MedSM

5019501850175016

6 mil./latex $15.25

N-Dexpowdered

XLGLG

MedSM

5010500650075008

4 mil./nitrile $11.50

Green Gloves powdered

XLGLG

MedSM

5001500049994998


GloveworksPowdered

XLGLG

MedSM

5046504550445043


Free FormPowder free

XLGLG

MedSM

5068506750665065

5 mil.º/nitrile $14.06

If you have attended one of MMPA’s Milker Training Schools, you are probably familiar with the need to wear disposable gloves while milking. This has been shown to help lessen the chance of transferring mastitis causing

organisms from an infected cow to a healthy cow. The reason for this is that gloves have a much smoother surface than bare hands and will not retain bacteria as readily. Proper udder prep requires thorough cleaning of the teats and specifically the teat end. This procedure is made easier and more effective with the use of disposable gloves. They have the added benefit of protecting hands from pre dips and other chemicals which can be harsh on the skin. The warehouse carries both latex and latex free gloves all of which are ambidextrous. Listed below are descriptions and prices of the gloves we stock at the warehouse.


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 or

Stan Palmer5303 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

Kurt Fiene8356 C.R. 115

Kenton, OH 43326612-889-1063

Jeff TimmNW 8665 C.R. M

Shawano, WI 54166612-840-0555

P ayment for testing will be made through an automatic milk check

deduction. All costs are listed per individual sample.

• Scheduled Herd Tests $1

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

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

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

Members who choose to receive their lab test results via U.S. postal service: $2/month

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

• Mycoplasma Cultures $ 8

• Bacteriology Cultures $12 – Includes identification of bacteria

and drug susceptibility.

• Bovine Viral Diarrhea - PCR $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

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 - 400,000 00¢/cwt.• 401,000 - 500,000 -15¢/cwt.• 501,000 - 600,000 -30¢/cwt.• 601,000 - 750,000 -$1.00/cwt.• Over 750,000 -$1.50/cwt.

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

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

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

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

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

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

MMPA Quality Premium Program

MMPA Member Testing Fees

Chemical, Sanitizer & Teat Dip Contact

Information

34 December 2012

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

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

• After that, it will be withdrawn.

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

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

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

• Freeliners must be received by the 10th of the month preceding the desired month of publication. Example: to be included in the January issue, the freeliner must be at the MMPA office by December 10.

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.

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

Service age Reg. Holstein bulls, deep pedigrees, some red carriers. Jenesis Genetics, 231-924-6163 or 231-225-8615.

Jersey / Holstein cross bulls 100% AI. 810-724-8825.

Holstein bulls, most from ET flushes. Top sires and top dams. Several to choose from and priced reasonable. Dale-Stamp Farms, Marlette. 989-737-2342.

50-month old bull half Holstein half Jersey. 517-726-1418.

Jersey/Holstein cross bulls, 100% AI. 810-724-8825.

Cows and Heifers

Closed herd of 50 Holstein milking cows, averaging 90 lbs. per cow per day. These cows have a RHA of 28,500. Low SCC, with 37 years of AI breeding, select mated to top AI sires. Records available. 989-550-3856.

Equipment

Manure Equipment: 33ft McLanahan Sand Manure Separator. Two Integrity Roller Presses and 15-ft Screw Press. Package or by the piece. Contact Hillhaven Farms at 989-762-5622 or Mike Rasmussen at 989-304-0233.

Locknow 150 stationary feed mixer with digital scale; Patz 80 foot belt feeder; Jamesway feed conveyer; automatic roller mill, PTO drive

model # 1200, with auger feed and blower discharge; NH Forage Blower. Best offer 989-330-3270 or 989-330-2885.

Dairy Equipment

Double five Bou-matic milker complete with pipeline washer, Westfalia ACR SS automatic takeoffs, DARI-KOOL plate cooler and two Bou-matic vacuum pumps. Mueller 1000 gal. bulk tank with compressor and tank washer. Mueller Freon water cooler & storage tank 80 gal., 65 MSU style free stalls. 989-330-3270 or 989-330-2885, Harrison, Mich.

2750-gal. Mueller bulk tank, mid 90s age, 2-5 hp. Single phase Copeland Scroll compressors, 1 less than 3 years old, 1 less than 6 months old, $16,000. Double-4 DeLaval milking parlor. Air gates, indexing rails, controls, SST2 takeoffs, oil-less vacuum pump, no motor, 1 hp. Milk pump, 10-ft. tube cooler, $5,500 for all. 231-670-1552 or 231-861-5285 leave message.

FeedRound bales, 900 pd. plus roto-cut grass. 989-464-7364.

WantedSmall herd of milking cows that can be bought on milk check assignment. 616-889-0769.

Used freestalls. 616-634-2958.

FreelinersCall 1-800-572-5824 ext. 202 to place your ad

or email to: [email protected]

36 December 2012

Call 1-800-572-5824 ext. 224

Mail ads to: Classified Ads, Michigan Milk Messenger, PO BOX 8002, Novi, MI 48376-8002. Or email to [email protected]. 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.

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

OPPERMAN GROOVING: Diamond sawed grooves, no hammering or cracking of concrete. No hoof damage. Call Opperman Grooving Inc., Portland. 517-647-7381.______________________________________DAVIDSON CEMENT GROOVING, INC:NO water needed. Wider, rougher grooves for better traction. We also offer texturing for your previously grooved floors. 3 operators will travel Michigan and other states. No interest payment terms. Est. since 1987. Call 1-800-365-3361.______________________________________CONCRETE GROOVING By TRI-STATE SCABBLING, home of the 2” wide groove. Best traction, lowest prices. (800) 554-2288. www.tristatescabbling.com______________________________________CONCRETE GROOVING/FLOOR TExTURING: Bring existing grooves back to 100% efficiency/new construction. Blue Ribbon Hoof Trimming, LLC. 989-635-1494. ______________________________________

FOR SALE: 5000-4000-3000-2500-2000-1500 OH MUELLER LATE MODEL BULk TANk MILk TANkS, complete, will trade. 1-800-558-0112.______________________________________WANTED TO BUy: USED BULk MILk TANkS, 200 gallons & larger, Sunset & Mueller, 1-800-558-0112.______________________________________HOOF TRIMMING: certified, experienced, w/ references. Craig Martin, 517-231-7790.______________________________________LARGE SqUARE BALES CLEAN, bright straw. Will deliver. 989-723-1886.______________________________________JUNE CLOVER SEED. 989-723-1886 or 989-277-1414.______________________________________WANTED TO BUy: corn silage. 989-723-1886 or 989-277-1414.______________________________________

ClassifiedsCall 1-800-572-5824 ext. 202 or email to: [email protected]

1-800-248-8070

M-40 South

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

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

GeneratorsWinpower & KatolightStocking up to 100 KW

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serving Michiganfor the past 30 years800-345-1887

Midwest Power systeMs


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.

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

• If the tank tests positive (drugs present), the membership representative will authorize the member to dump the tank of milk. The member will be paid 75% of the value of the tank of milk involved.*

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

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 Residue in Milk:

MMPA Policy on 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 St. Louis warehouse. The MMPA Member Representative will verify the switch has been installed. Reimbursement for the Swingline Safety Switch and the voluntary dump will then be made to the member.

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

MILk SHIPPED – HIGH BACTERIA COUNT

If:

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

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

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

**For members using more than one bulk tank, the assessment will be based on the value of milk in the tank or tanks in violation of the MMPA quality policy.

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

REJECTED LOAD SHIPMENT

If:

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

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

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

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

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

HAULER

A hauler whose entire load sample exceeds 300,000 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.

Policies

38 December 2012

MARKET STATISTICSMideast Federal Order #33

(pounds)

Mideast Federal Order #33

COMPONENT PRICING INFORMATIONMideast Federal Order #33

NATIONAL TRENDS(million pounds)

This Month year Ago % Change

Total Class 1 Sales 575,999,263 537,707,162 +7.12


Total Class 3 Sales 206,829,893 527,842,968 -60.82


Total Production 1,215,015,408 1,410,726,509 -13.87

Class 1 Utilization 47.4% 38.1%

Current Month

Total Producers 6,244

Average Daily Production per Farm 6,277

Average Protein Test 3.17%

Average Butterfat Test 3.78%

Average Other Solids Test 5.73%

Average SCC Count (MMPA) 164,000

Protein Price/lb. $3.7278

Butterfat Price/lb. $2.1136

Other Solids Price/lb. $0.4340

Class III Price @ 3.5% $ 21.02

Prod. Price Diff/cwt. (Mich. Mkt.) ($1.55)

Uniform Price @ 3.5% $ 19.47

SCC Adjustment/cwt./1000 $0.00102

2012 2011 % Change Production California 3,307 3,428 -3.5

Wisconsin 2,269 2,168 +4.7

Idaho 1,131 1,121 +0.9

New York 1,080 1,052 +2.7

Pennsylvania 869 872 -0.3

Texas 772 813 -5.0

Minnesota 746 725 +2.9

Michigan 729 710 +2.7

New Mexico 656 697 -5.9

Washington 512 523 -2.1

Ohio 440 429 +2.6

Indiana 303 298 +1.7

* Total U.S. 15,165 15,170 -0.0

* U.S. Y-T-D 156,001 152,566 +2.3

* For 23 states

Market ReportFor Milk Marketed in October 2012

Monthly Avg

Cheese /lb 2.0479

Butter /lb 1.9168

Nonfat Dry Milk /lb 1.4636

Dry Whey /lb 0.6205

NASS Survey Prices


MMPA FIELD STAFF

NOVI (Headquarters)248-474-6672

800-572-5824General Manager

Clay Galarneau, ext. 200

Member Services Milk Sales/Dispatch Finance/Controller Dean Letter, ext. 213 Carl Rasch, ext. 244 Joseph M. Diglio, ext. 240Laboratory Supervisor Manufactured Product Sales Credit/Insurance Patti Huttula, ext. 219 Jim Dodson, ext. 229 Cheryl Schmandt, ext. 210Human Resources Member Relations/Public Affairs Data Processing Cindy Tilden, ext. 220 Sheila Burkhardt, ext. 208 Gregory Schulkey, ext. 237 Member Communications Laura Moser ext. 296 Alex Schnabelrauch ext. 211

MANUFACTURING PLANTS Constantine Ovid 269-435-2835 989-834-2221 Plant Manager Plant Manager/Plant Operations Dave Davis David Wittkop

Novi: 800-572-5824 (in MI) 800-233-2405 7 a.m. - 4 p.m. Mon-FriOvid: 989-834-2515 6 a.m. - 10 p.m. DailyConstantine: 800-391-7560 7 a.m. - 10 p.m. Daily

MMPA LAbs

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

NORTH AREA

Supervisor: Gerry Volz St.LouisOffice.................989-289-9219

FrankBrazeau.....................920-834-4059 Oconto,Wis.........mobile906-250-0337

Ben Chapin .................................................. BigRapids...........mobile989-289-0731

PrestonCole........................231-584-2587 Mancelona...........mobile989-289-9301

Lyndsay Earl ............................................... Ludington............mobile231-519-2455 Angelee Kirsch ............................................ HarborBeach......mobile231-414-4539

Lindsay Santure .......................................... St.Johns...............mobile989-488-8159

GerryVolz............................989-848-5996 Fairview...............mobile989-289-9219

MMPA Staff

SOUTH AREA

Supervisor: Ed Zuchnik ColdwaterOffice...............269-967-7351

Krista Beeker ............................................... Howe,IN..............mobile269-986-6792

DavidBrady.........................517-522-5965 GrassLake...........mobile517-937-9061

Emily Butcher .............................................. Middlebury,IN....mobile269-535-0822

Kendra Kissane............................................ Hudsonville..........mobile269-245-6632

Andrew Rupprecht ...................................... Clio.......................mobile269-986-6793

Elyse Wilcox ................................................. EatonRapids.......mobile810-701-6460

Ed Zuchnik ................................................... ThreeRivers........mobile269-967-7351

Merchandise—st. LouisSupervisor: Duane Farmer .989-681-2334 Fax .......................................989-681-3988 Toll Free ..............................877-367-6455 Orders (Novi) ..800-572-5824 then dial 2

MASTITIS MANAGEMENT

TomHerremans....................231-853-8008 Ravenna...............mobile269-967-0890

StevenLehman......................989-875-3441 Ithaca....................mobile989-330-1638

Christy Dinsmoore ....................................... Fairgrove..............mobile989-528-9102

Monthly Avg

Cheese /lb 2.0479

Butter /lb 1.9168

Nonfat Dry Milk /lb 1.4636

Dry Whey /lb 0.6205

Other Services:

GaryBest..............................810-664-4984Lapeer.....................mobile586-484-9279 Bulk Tank Calibration

Katie Pierson ................................................ Coleman...............mobile989-289-9686

MichaelMarvin....................989-670-4864 Marlette Energy Auditor

40 December 2012 Grand Champion Cheese Cowslip Creamery

Grand Champion Cheese Cowslip Creamery



2 June 2012 Michigan Milk Messenger 3

michigan milk messenger: december 2012

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