michigan milk messenger: january 2010

January 2010Volume 92 Issue 7

Using Science to Increase Results Through Nutrition

JBS United has provided research-based products to

the animal nutrition industry since 1956. From our headquarters in Indiana and our Dairy Division in Jonesville, Michigan, we supply animal nutrition and feed products to satisfied customers throughout the Midwest and across the globe.

Trust the Experts in Dairy Nutrition

2nd Annual Midwest Dairy Conferences

JBS United Headquarters

4310 State Road 38 WestSheridan, IN 46069Ph: (800) 382-9909

Dairy Division - Jonesville Plant

3611 West Chicago Rd.Jonesville, MI 49250Email: marketing@

jbsunited.com

(800) 322-1658www.JBSunited.com

LEARN MORE TODAY!

JOIN US FEBRUARY 3 AND 4 FOR THE SECOND ANNUAL MIDWEST DAIRY CONFERENCESJBS United is excited to host the second annual Technical Conference for Dairy Producers in the Midwest. We invite you to come and learn more about where the dairy industry is headed by leading experts in dairy nutrition, while visiting with other industry professionals and suppliers in this ever expanding field.

FEBRUARY 3 (LOCATION): Held at Sauder Village, 22611 State Route 2, PO Box 235, Archbold, OH 43502; Saunder Village Tel: (800) 590-9755

FEBRUARY 4 (LOCATION): Held at the Henry Center (or also known as The James B. Henry Center for Executive Development) at Michigan State University located at 3535 Forest Road, Lansing, MI 48910-3831. Henry Center Tel: (517) 353-4350 or (800) 356-5705.

Title: “Managing Risk in a Volatile Market” Speakers:

Dr. Don Orr• – President, JBS United, Inc. Dr. Randy Shaver• – Professor, University of Wisconsin – “Controlling Costs /Rations.” Brian Maple• – Broker/Merchandiser, F.C. Stone – “Hedging and Managing Input Cost”Dan Zaslavsky• – Corporate Account Executive /Analyst / Floor Broker, Downes O’Neill LLC / eDairy Inc. a division of FC Stone – “Managing Milk Futures through Better Risk Management”Dr. Mike Allen• – Professor, Michigan State University – “New Grouping Strategies to Manage Costs”

Costs and More Information: FREE (Registration Required). Visit our website for a full list of presentations. To register or learn more about either of these upcoming conferences, please contact your JBS United Sales Rep, or Lisa Coverdale at (800) 382-9909.

Contents

Managing Editor ..................... Sheila BurkhardtEditors ........................................... Mindy Pratt Laura MoserAdvertising Manager ....................Karla MacelliCirculation .............................................. 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 92 Issue 7www.mimilk.com

Departments

Features

January 2010

A Jersey calf and her older herdmates enjoy the winter flurries on Eldred Farms Blanchard, Mich., owned by MMPA Members Brian, Bruce and Darrel Eldred.

Photo courtesy of Preston Cole, www.tapsphotography.com.

9 MSUE Dairy Team Winter Meetings: “Tools to Navigate the Fresh Cow Storm”

12 MMPA Quality Award Winners

16 Successful Transitions - District 5 OYDC Mark and Tana Buning

18 New Year: New TB Program

20 Forecasting the Future - District 6 OYDC Leroy and Stephanie Schafer

22 Starling Control Works on Michigan Dairies

23 MMPA Local Meeting Schedule

24 Leaders’ Conference 2009

26 MMPA Milk Quality – The Pursuit of Excellence

30 Learning How to do More With Less in an Ever- changing Dairy World — GLRDC

31 2010 MMPA Milker Training School Schedule

24

2016

November 2009Volume 92 Issue 5

January 2010Volume 92 Issue 7

Michigan Milk Messenger 3

Officers President: Ken NobisVice President: Bob KranTreasurer: Velmar Green General Manager/Secretary: John Dilland Ass’t. Treasurer: Clay GalarneauGeneral 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

District Directors 1. Earl Horning, Manchester ............734-428-7641 2. Tim Hood, Paw Paw ...................269-657-5771 4. Dan Javor, Hastings .....................269-948-8345 5. Brent Wilson, Carson City ...........989-584-3481 6. Velmar Green, Elsie .....................989-862-5020 7. James Reid, Jeddo .......................810-327-6830 8. Deanna Stamp, Marlette ..............989-635-730710. Eric Frahm, Frankenmuth ...........989-652-355211. Bob Kran, FreeSoil ......................231-464-588912. John Kronemeyer, Pickford .........906-647-7638

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 SixAnthony Jandernoa, 989-593-2224 St. Johns Terry Nugent, Lowell 616-691-8424 David Reed, Owosso 989-723-8635John Hufnagel, Westphalia 989-593-2900

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 810-679-4782Leonard Brown, Sandusky 810-648-4505Tim Kubacki, Sebewaing 989-883-3249Steve Schulte, Harbor Beach 989-479-9339

District TenJohn Bennett, Prescott 989-345-4264Jim Judge, Mt. Pleasant 989-866-2482Scott Kleinhardt, Clare 989-386-8037Michael Schwab, Standish 989-846-4764

District ElevenGary Butler, Sand Lake 616-636-8624David Pyle, Zeeland 616-772-1512Frank Konkel, Hesperia 231-854-8041 Bill Stakenas, Freesoil 231-757-9340

District TwelveJohn Bloniarz, Bark River 906-466-5537Ron Lucas, Posen 989-379-4694Marv Rubingh, Ellsworth 231-588-6084Corby Werth, Alpena 989-379-3772

District OneHank Choate, Cement City 517-529-9032Danny Hart, Grass Lake 517-206-1966Dennis Huehl, Chelsea 734-475-1051Bruce Lewis, Jonesville 517-869-2877

District TwoDonald Bever, Delton 269-671-5050Francis Burr, Mendon 269-778-2697Richard 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 FiveRay Christensen, Greenville 616-754-9404Bill Jernstadt, Big Rapids 231-796-4650 Robert Lee, Marion 231-743-6794 Tom Jeppesen, Stanton 989-762-5399

Michigan Milk Producers Association

Advisory Committee

Board of Directors

Pictured: Front row (l-r) Galarneau, Stamp, Kran, Nobis, Green, Reid, Dilland. Back row (l-r) Hood, Daniels, Javor, Frahm, Wilson, Halbert, Kronemeyer, VanderHaagen, Horning.

4 January 2010

MMPA MattersBy Ken Nobis

President

It’s a pleasant feeling to look at 2009 in the rearview mirror. It

was such an unusual year in so many respects. Lousy milk prices, long winter, short summer (no summer in my opinion) and to top it all off, the Menominee/Vacationland Local was postponed one day due to an early December blizzard. You know the weather is bad when a meeting is cancelled in the U.P. due to snow. I like having 2009 in the rearview mirror of my mind because it allows for the illusion of a distant memory. As reality overcomes illusion, I remind myself that we shouldn’t ignore this episode of our history. Instead, we should analyze it and attempt to build a program that could perhaps avoid such a gut-wrenching episode in our future.

The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), working with its member cooperatives and other members of the greater dairy farmer community, formed a “Milk Price Task Force” in June 2009. The Task force met over the summer several times to review the current pricing system we operate under and to receive input from other organizations who were working on systems each thought could improve the current economic system dairy farmers operate under.

The ideas around the table varied from removing all government involvement to total government control of supply and prices. The ideas that were presented covered a wide spectrum of options, highlighting the difficulty of developing a cohesive program that has the support of producers from every region of the U.S. Maybe I’m overly optimistic, but I think it is possible to build

a better system. There’s no better time to do it than now, while our memories of the shortcomings of the present system are very fresh in our minds.

The NMPF Task force is moving forward by using the ideas presented to them to concentrate on building a “Foundation for the Future.” That foundation includes a concept to somehow be able to insure a portion of the net margin between cost of production and revenue from production. The foundation also includes a revised CWT Program that would include options to make it appealing to more producers than it does now. Federal Order reform is another issue NMPF is working on, which focuses on “mending” the Federal Order system by removing inequities in the current system.

Three sub-committees have been formed to study and formulate a way forward in each of these three important building blocks under pinning our “Foundation for the Future.” Work is underway by the sub-committees to refine concepts and explore the methodology to make them workable.

Trying to develop an income protection plan that would conceptually protect economic stability without allowing excess production that would undermine prices is complex. If we could protect the viability of every cow needed to meet demand, allow for new market expansion and heavily penalize any extra cows, I think we could achieve our goal. We have to find a way to send the message that we have a problem of excess milk, ideally before it happens, and, at the very least, when it happens—not

two, four or six months after the danger signs were first seen.

Does that mean that our price support program is obsolete?

Possibly, because it does provide a support price for other low cost milk producers around the globe. The U.S. is a competitive milk producing country and we have the ability to capture at least a portion of the growing market for milk and dairy protein around the world. Our ability to competitively produce a high quality product coupled with retaining a support price which allows excess production to be sold to the government essentially gives the low cost producer in New Zealand nearly the same guarantee. The New Zealander just happens to be located in an environment that allows for low cost production—even lower than our support price.

If our support program didn’t exist, using this past year as an example, we would have seen prices drop even lower than they did but the lower prices would clear out burdensome supplies much faster and price recovery would occur much sooner. This is the time frame for which we are trying to develop a program. The concept may seem Pollyannaish, akin to “having your cake and eating it too,” but I believe we can develop this idea into a successful, long-term dairy program.

While some of these ideas may seem sketchy at best, it is a beginning. We have a long road to travel, but I believe our dairy industry is working to lay a very solid foundation for the future, which will someday improve what we see in our rearview mirrors.

Headed Toward the Future


By Dean LetterMMPA Mastitis Management Advisor

Quality WatchBy Gary Trimner

Director of Member Services/Quality Control

Looking Ahead to 2010

Continued on page 15

The year 2010 will likely bring much needed price relief

to our members. In addition to the improved milk prices, below is a summary of other issues that MMPA’s Member Services Department will be bringing to our members.

Michigan Department of Agriculture Budget Issues There will be significant pressure to reduce the Michigan Department of Agriculture budget. We will be working hard to maintain the current Food and Dairy funding level. As you know, permit fees will be increased as a result of the 2009 budget. I will provide more information about the permit increases for the 2009 budget when they are finalized in the first quarter of 2010.

Animal Care We will be working with National Milk Producers Federation to provide training to MMPA Member Representatives on the National Dairy FARM Program (Farmers Assuring Responsible Management). Once training is complete, sometime after April 1, we will begin the process of delivering the animal care guidelines and assisting our members in completing the program. This is a voluntary program and those that complete the animal care guidelines can request third party audit verification. Details on covering the cost of the verification have not yet been determined. We will report on that when the process is finalized.

It is important to note that MMPA customers have shown interest in MMPA’s animal care program.

Milking Systems Performance Assurance Program MMPA Member Representatives will be engaged in continuous training in the Milking Systems Performance Assurance Program (MSPAP). We will be expanding the MSPAP as we receive additional requests from our members. We currently have sufficient trained personnel to extend the program to our entire membership. The program establishes a routine scheduled evaluation of the milking systems for a fee. Members interested in MSPAP should notify their member representative or the Novi office.

Air Quality We have not received the final results of the Carbon Footprint survey that many members participated in this past year. When the results become available we will provide the information. There continues to be substantial pressure from Washington D.C. to reduce the national overall carbon footprint. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will require entities with greenhouse gas emissions of 25,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent to report their emissions. This would require dairy herds of 3,200 or more dairy animals to report emissions. That reporting has been delayed until 2011.

Energy Conservation MMPA has several farm energy audits in process. In addition, we currently have a list of 41 members who have requested an energy audit. We have received several inquiries from our finished product customers concerning what MMPA and our members are doing to be “sustainable,” and the energy audit program falls into that category. MMPA is committed to continuing and expanding our audit program, so that we may assist members in conserving energy and saving money. We are working through the Michigan Ag Energy Council and the utility companies to take advantage of any energy savings credits offered to our members.

Environmental Issues There is increased pressure from Washington D.C. to further regulate animal feeding operations. Currently, all dairy farms with 700 or more dairy cows must be permitted. The CAFO (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation) permits are being rewritten in most states as a result of the final ruling of the “Waterkeepers” lawsuit. Michigan will issue new CAFO permits this year. MMPA has been involved with other stakeholders in the development of the new permits and will continue to be engaged in environmental regulation discussions affecting dairy farms. When the permits are finalized, we will provide more information at members’ request.

6 January 2010

Don’t leave

your cows out

in the cold


January 19 TuesdayJanuary 26 Tuesday February 17 WednesdayFebruary 26 Friday March 17 WednesdayMarch 26 Friday April 16 FridayApril 26 Monday May 17 MondayMay 26 Wednesday June 17 ThursdayJune 25 Friday

July 16 FridayJuly 26 Monday August 17 TuesdayAugust 26 Thursday September 17 FridaySeptember 27 Monday October 18 MondayOctober 26 Tuesday November 17 WednesdayNovember 26 Friday December 17 FridayDecember 27 Monday

Upcoming Events

January MMPA Local Meetings

27 MMPA Resolutions Committee – Novi

February MMPA District Meetings

25 UDIM Annual Meeting – Lansing

News & ViewsThe latest dairy news

November Class III Price Up $1.26

The November Class III price is $14.08, up $1.26 from last month but down $1.43 from last year. The Class IV price is $13.25, up $1.39 from last month. This year’s Class IV price is up $1.00 from last year. Both are the highest prices during the past calendar year.

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

* Scored 100 percent

MMPA Constantine BTUOctober 2009

Jerry, Terry & Jerry Jr. Koebel*

Van Marshall

Glen Bontrager

Vernon Hochstetler

Alvin Miller

Tobie Hochstetler

Milton Preston

Howard Payne

Wagner Family Farms, LLC

Amos Hochstetler Jr.

Thomas Pierce

Greg Myers

Ferry Farms, LLC

K & W Dairy

Settlement Dates Processed Through JP Morgan Chase Calendar Year 2010

The MMPA direct deposit pro-gram provides for the direct deposit of your net milk proceeds to your bank account through the use of an electronic funds transfer system. This system assures the deposit of funds on the dates listed below.

The direct deposit service is free to MMPA members. Members on direct deposit receive their check statement by mail. The statement

is the same as the one attached to the milk check. The direct deposit stub of the statement indicates the amount transferred into the mem-ber’s bank account.

If you are interested in signing up for direct deposit or desire more information, please contact the MMPA Member Services Depart-ment at 800-572-5824.

MMPA 2010 Direct Deposit Schedule

8 January 2010

Winter Program Schedule

Date Location/Contact

February 2 Heirman University Ctr., Rm 958/962 Bay College, Escanaba, MI Ben Bartlett 906-439-5880

February 3 Alpena Community College Rm 106 Center Building 665 Johnson St, Alpena, MI Mary Dunckel 989-354-9870 Phil Durst 989-826-1160

February 4 Quality Inn Forward Conf. Ctr. 2980 Cook Rd, West Branch, MI Phil Durst 989-826-1160

February 16 Carl T. Johnson Center. 6087 W. M-115, Cadillac, MI Kathy Lee 231-839-4667

February 17 Isabella County Bldg, Rm 320 200 N. Main St, Mt. Pleasant, MI Mike McFadden 989-772-0911(302)

February 18 Franklin Inn 1060 E. Huron Ave, Bad Axe, MI Craig Thomas 810-648-2515

March 2 Clinton County RESA 1013 S. US-27, St. Johns, MI Faith Cullens 989-224-5249

March 3 4-H Bldg, Hillsdale Co. Fairgrounds 115 S. Broad St (M-99), Hillsdale, MI Ira Krupp 517-279-4311 Dean Ross 517-546-3950

March 4 Kent County MSU Extension 775 Ball Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI Bill Robb 616-994-4580 Ira Krupp 517-279-4311

Michigan State University Extension Dairy Team Winter Meeting: Animal Health: “Tools to navigate the fresh cow storm”

Animal health and well-being have always been a high priority on our dairy farms. Surviving in today’s economy requires a concerned effort to minimize problems in early lactation. Early lactation is a critical time in a cow’s life when energy demands are high in order to meet production needs while maintaining a healthy cow. This is a time when the immune system is at greatest challenge in fighting off disease problems. Over the years, monitoring tools have been developed to help us evaluate current status, make decisions and monitor health. The MSUE dairy winter meeting is designed to provide the farm team with tools to maximize the efforts to maintain health and well-being of the cows, while maximizing production and getting the cow ready for rebreeding.

The program will address four major topics of concern in fresh cows: metabolic diseases, reproductive diseases, milk quality/mastitis and animal wellness to improve longevity in the herd. Health events during this period will prepare the cow for success or failure in lactation. There are some useful testing and monitoring tools that can be easily employed by most farmers to maximize production and improve animal health. Most farms do not rely on one person to handle all areas of production and animal health, so it is important that farms come as a team to get the most out of this year’s meeting. Animal health requires an “on-farm team” that includes your veterinarian and nutritionist.

Cost for the daylong program is $15 per person, which includes lunch. Registration for the meetings begin at 9:30 a.m. and the meetings begin at 10 a.m.

NMPF Member Co-ops Support Chocolate Milk Petition

As part of an effort to help keep chocolate milk in school lunch programs, NMPF member co-ops have been joining the “Raise your Hand for Chocolate Milk” campaign. At the campaign’s Web site, www.raiseyourhand4milk.com, supporters can sign a petition to promote chocolate milk for the country’s school children.


Legislative WatchIssues important to today’s dairy farmers

1-800-248-8070

M-40 South

Hamilton, MI 49419

PTO and Automatic

Start Generators

On December 17, the USDA announced rules for implementation of the $290-million Dairy Economic Loss Assistance Payment (DELAP) program.

DELAP payments were calculated based on each qualifying dairy operation’s total pounds of production commercially marketed during the months of February 2009 through July 2009, multiplied by 2, up to a production maximum of 6 million pounds per dairy operation for the year. An estimated $0.32 per cwt. is being paid on the pounds of milk produced, up to the cap of 6 million pounds. No application was required to receive DELAP program benefits if a dairy operation or producer’s records were currently available in the FSA county office from previous participation in a fiscal year 2009 dairy program administered by FSA. Dairy producers who do not have production records at the FSA county office, and who have not been contacted to obtain such data for the months of February through July 2009, may apply to receive DELAP program benefits at their local FSA service center. The deadline to submit requests for DELAP program benefits is January 19, 2010.

For more information and eligibility requirements on the new DELAP program, producers should visit their local FSA county office or www.fsa.usda.gov.

The USDA also announced it will spend $60 million on the purchase of consumer-ready cheeses. The USDA said that it will procure cheddar and mozzarella cheese for delivery between March 16 and December 31, 2010. The products will be distributed through the Emergency Food Assistance Program.

In November, Senators Stabenow (MI), Harkin (IA), Baucus (MT), Casey (PA), Klobuchar (MN), Brown (OH), Begich (AK), and Shaheen (NH) introduced S. 2729 – the Clean Energy Partnerships Act. This bill establishes important provisions for agriculture in the offset portion of the Climate Change bill, which was approved by the Senate Environment Committee last month without the ag offset amendment.

NMPF feels very strongly that additional legislation must protect the dairy industry from those who would rather pursue a strictly regulatory approach to managing methane emissions from livestock operations. To mandate greenhouse gas reductions could cause

catastrophic financial losses within the dairy sector. S.2729 provides many of those provisions, and provides opportunities for agriculture to benefit from the legislation.

Although the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee passed S. 1733, the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act, NMPF was disappointed to see the lack of provisions for agriculture. That is why it is critical that the agriculture offsets piece was introduced.

At this time the Senate is not expected to again consider climate change legislation until the spring of 2010.

Senate Committee Passes Climate Change Legislation

Go ahead,

try it on.Artec™ Ultra Conditioning Teat Dip

Protects Like A GloveWhen the weather gets harsh, put a powerful layer of protection between your cow’s teats and the elements.

The Artec formula features heptanoic fatty acid, a patent pending acid-anionic antimicrobial that dramatically reduces the occurrence of mastitis causing organisms, and a 78% emollient tri-blend, one of the highest in the industry.

This highly effective combination of ingredients helps reduce mastitis and protect against the elements.

They’ll love the glove.

©2008 Ecolab Inc.370 Wabasha St. N.St. Paul, MN 55102All Rights Reserved

KLNZ311 - ARTEC “Love the Glove” MMPA AD - December 2008 - 10.30.08

call 1.800.392.3392 or visit our web site at www.ecolab.com

USDA Dairy Economic Loss Assistance Payment Program

10 January 2010

Go ahead,

try it on.Artec™ Ultra Conditioning Teat Dip

Protects Like A GloveWhen the weather gets harsh, put a powerful layer of protection between your cow’s teats and the elements.

The Artec formula features heptanoic fatty acid, a patent pending acid-anionic antimicrobial that dramatically reduces the occurrence of mastitis causing organisms, and a 78% emollient tri-blend, one of the highest in the industry.

This highly effective combination of ingredients helps reduce mastitis and protect against the elements.

They’ll love the glove.

©2008 Ecolab Inc.370 Wabasha St. N.St. Paul, MN 55102All Rights Reserved

KLNZ311 - ARTEC “Love the Glove” MMPA AD - December 2008 - 10.30.08

call 1.800.392.3392 or visit our web site at www.ecolab.com

MMPA Quality Award Winners

Adrian Local SilverN. Randy and Eric BleichTim and Lisa BrasherMatthew SmithBronzeFred Feight and SonsMarvin Farms Inc.Scott D. NordenRandy Shadewald

Alma LocalSilverBebow Dairy Inc.Lad & Agnes DoolittleFriesen Farms Inc.Ronald and Kevin LitwillerBrian and Jacqueline McAlveyOberlin FarmsDe Grins Oer DairyDale RowlandSpring Lake Farms LLCTLC DairyA G Wiles*BronzeChapin Family Farm LLCDouble-B DairyDouble Eagle Dairy Inc.Dragt Farms***Joel and Edwin EnszHooks Farms

William Hough Dairy Inc. Kent L. InnigerDouglas B. KamerRyan J. LitwillerChristopher E. MillerGary & Cory Nielsen Albern Olson Peters & Peters Dairy FarmPine Hills Dairy LLC*Doeke & Missy PrinsS & T Farms PTPNewlyn Toews**Vander Ploeg Holsteins LLCKenneth Vredenburg

Bad Axe LocalGoldDonald and Denise RiceSilverHighland Dairy LLC William C. MazureFred Wisneski BronzeJoseph & Valerie Kubacki and Jeffery Sample Gregory and Shelly MessingNugent’s Farm DairyParamount Enterprises Dairy LLCPrime Land Farm*R L S Dairy Inc.

Gary K. Roggenbuck John and Diane Seidl & Family

Barry-Eaton LocalSilverChase Crest Hill FarmsLeonard, Kevin, Andrew & Maxine PixleyBronzeBurdock Hills Dairy LLCEndsley Dairy Farms LLCHammond Dairy Farm LLCJonathan G. Hochstetler

Battle Creek-Homer LocalGoldCrandall Dairy Farms LLCSilverJoseph and Jeffrey WillsonBronzeDaniel L. Williams

Blossomland LocalSilverGamble FamilyBronzeJerry, Terry & Jerry Jr. Koebel

Brown City-Marlette LocalSilverBrown City-Marlette John David BoegnerCumper Dairy FarmsBronzeGoma Dairy Farms LLCMuxlow Dairy FarmBob, Jeffrey, Daniel & Andrew Parr Glen & Dale Phillips FarmsDwight Radloff*Rick L. Sutton*

Chippewa County LocalGoldJason W. Hoornstra*BronzeDavid & Tammy BellDavid A. LambTaylor Creek Farm LLC

Clare LocalBronzeJack EvansDonald Kuehl Sr. & FamilyLe Var Farms LLC*Pine Ridge Farm

During the local meetings, MMPA presented quality awards to 375 member farms in recognition of

their outstanding quality milk production. Bronze, silver and gold quality awards were presented to those mem-bers who met the established criteria for each award. Bronze quality awards were presented to MMPA members who met both quality premium categories (10,000 or less raw bacteria and 20,000 or less PI count) and maintained a somatic cell count of 250,000 or less for nine or more months out of the previous fiscal year.

Silver quality awards were presented to those mem-bers who met the same criteria as in the bronze award category for 12 months out of the previous fiscal year. Members who qualified to receive a Gold award met the same criteria as in the silver award category and averaged a somatic cell count of 100,000 or less during the previous fiscal year. Star Awards were presented to those members who have received a quality award for five (one star), ten (two stars) and fifteen (three stars) consecutive years.

12 January 2010

Constantine LocalSilverAlvin D. BontragerJake R. EicherDavid E. MillerGlen F. MillerVernon R. MillerDavid and Carolyn Nissley***Perkins Twin Creek Farm Inc.BronzeAbe L. BontragerDaniel A. BontragerDannie Ray BontragerGerald D. BontragerJohn D. BontragerPhilip D. BontragerLeroy H. BorkholderDetweiler FarmsDelmar J. FryIra L. HochstetlerMonroe V. HochstetlerVernon E. HochstetlerEli I. KuhnsLavern J. KurtzErvin J. LehmanJerry D. LehmanEnos LengacherErnest L. MastJay H. MastCalvin F. MillerCletus H. MillerLeroy E. MillerMerle F. MillerDorvin ShaumMarvin M. ShrockJerry C. SlabachMichael R. StoltzfusMervin and Susan TroyerJacob W. WeaverMerlin Ray and Mary YoderVirgil D. YoderRufus B. Zimmerman

Dairyland LocalGoldLeroy O. and Ella M. Zimmerman*SilverDavid KraftWilson Centennial FarmBronzeRoger CopelandD & J Dairy LLCMervin G. DaileyAmmon R. MartinVernon RamerTitus B. Zimmerman

Deckerville LocalSilverTimothy Mater*BronzeJames M. AdlerSteven R. Boice*Dallas Family FarmsAllen DetgenEdward Joe Lawler

Deford/Clifford-Mayville LocalBronzeEdward & Sandra AdamicCalvin J. BodeisMohr Valley Dairy Farm Inc.

Evart LocalGoldDick Haven Farms LLCMark F. DiemerVanPolen FarmsSilverBenthem Brothers Inc.Michael L. BosscherBuning Dairy Farm LLCRobert, Harold, Michael & Matthew CnossenKeith A. DeruiterDaniel DeZeeuw

Gilde FarmsKerwin J. HammingMary and Robert LeeStar City FarmWilliam SteinJonathan and Mary TaylorZuiderveen FarmsBronzeKevin P. ArdisWilliam A. BensonSteve BenthemBWT Farms LLCGaylord and Gerald DenslowDavid L. DeZeeuwHarold and Ruth Ann DoddeEisenga Brothers DairyEnd Road FarmLeon HammingMany Blessings Dairy Inc.Jerry J. MitchellTimothy and Jennifer OehrliRudvan Family Farms LLCKenneth and Carol TeBosWirth Dairy Farm

Flint LocalSilverSmolek FarmsBronzeCorner Oak FarmK&K Kern Farms

Frankenmuth LocalSilverEric Frahm and Teresa CrookLarry Niec Farms LLCWardin BrothersRichard R. Wardin

BronzeHaubenstricker Dairy Farm LLCPetzold Dairy Farms LLCSchiefer Farms LLC

Grand Rapids LocalGoldCressbrook FarmsSilverStephen and Denise KnoxMed-O-Bloom Farms LLCJerrold and Mark RichmondBronzeJames A. BrowerFisk FarmsKlamer Farms Inc.Potgeter FarmsJames SchaendorfStoney Hill Farm Inc.

Hillman LocalSilverGalen & Suzanne SchalkFred, Cody & Corby Werth*BronzeJamey AllenChippewa DairyChristensen FarmsRyan & Charina DellarRobert HemmingsonTodd HemmingsonMelvin Mullet*Risky Endeavor DairySauer Dairy Farms Inc.Myron SiegertSkudlarek Dairy FarmLarry, Paulette, Jeremy, & Paul WerthErvin Lee Yoder


Hillsdale-Litchfield LocalSilverChristopher and Beth BrennerHerman’s Holsteins LLCBronzeDale and Carol BakerDrakeland Farms LLC*William, Daniel and Marlin EasterdayFairfield Stock FarmFerris FarmsRichard and Patricia HawkinsPleasant View DairyPoling Dairy FarmSimon Jr. and Duane Wagler

Ingham County LocalGold Kevin CavanaughHarry W. Coppernoll Sr. & Harry W. Coppernoll Jr.SilverCar-Min-Vu FarmsFogle FarmsChuck and Linda GrettenbergerLarry L. SteffeyBronzeDusk ‘Til Dawn Farm Risch FarmsSonray Acres

Jackson County Plus LocalSilverWilliams Family Farm LLCBronzeGrand Valley Farms

Danny, Darrell and James HartHillside Dairy FarmsRiske FarmsJohn and Andrew Sweet

Kalamazoo LocalGoldWebers Meadow LLCSilverPaul DeMann*Ransler FarmsScales Prairie FarmBronzeLavern and Douglas DeMann**Louis FifelskiHood FarmsKathleen M. JohnsonK & W DairyMSU Kellogg DairyPenney FarmsMelvin T. PuschelTim and Sandy Ver Hage

Lansing Local GoldMSU Dairy - Dept of Animal ScienceBronzeLyon Farm LLC

Lapeer County Plus LocalBronzeGleason Dairy Farm

Livingston Charter Local SilverDonal Farm LLCBronzeLarry & Karen AdamsClarinda Farms LLCCharles & Janet White

Menominee-Vacationland LocalBronzeKaren Ann and John StrohlWaucedah Hill Farm LLC

Mid-Michigan LocalSilverBerlyn Acres LLCJohn and Judy CarterGeorge Grecu IIIGeorge and Shirley HazleHouska Farms Inc.Melvin and Pamela PohlGene L. SchneiderSteenblik Dairy Inc.Stony Creek Dairy LLC*Wadell Dairy Farm LLCAron W. WhitakerBronzeCook Dairy FarmE B Ridge Dairy LLCAndrew and John FeldpauschLew-Max Holstein LLCAlan MillerP & H FarmsSteven C. RothLeroy and Stephanie SchaferLarry A. SimonSteven H. SimonBarry and Angela StoutT & H Dairy II (S973)T & H Dairy II (X505)Cliff ThelenJeffry and Patricia ThelenWieber Dairy LLC

Mt. Pleasant LocalSilverHouse FarmsJudge Dairy Farm Inc.

Matt and Deborah KampfRobert S. Millard*BronzeBernard, Louis & Ronald BrechtElton F. DuboisMartin C. FoxGross Dairy Farms Inc.

Muskegon Local GoldSueann M. HigginsSilverMenno J. LambrightLarsen FarmsJerry and Sharron PowersRiverside Dairy LLCSilver Sky Dairy LLCTheodore M. WolschlagerBronzeJohn E. AllisonDonald A. BeattieBeuschel Fruit and Dairy FarmMax & Kristin CarlsonThomas and Shirley CarsonDewey Farm LLCDoug & Shelly Ekkel and FamilyWayne HeckselHiggins Livestock Inc.*Alan M. KoppenolDaniel J. Lombard***Norris Dairy Farm Inc.Slowpoke Farm LLCStakenas Farms Inc.Stroven Dairy FarmRoger StuderSunglow Dairy LLCAlbert Lee TilesUdder Chaos Inc.Udder PressureDavid VanderZanden

MMPA Quality Award Winners Continued....

14 January 2010

Owosso LocalSilverReed Dairy FarmRitter Farms LLCJason SzakalBronzeDavid Sovis

Saline-Ann Arbor LocalSilverBreuninger Farms LLCGene and Gary GirbachStanley and Patricia LambarthBronzeHorning Farms LLCHuehl AcresEdward KeezerLeo Bur FarmsBrian D. Sweetland

Sandusky Local SilverFred & Candice InbodyBronzeRoger Markey

Southern Sanilac Local SilverNoll Dairy Farm Inc.John NunnJohn and Jill Welter

St. Clair - Macomb Local SilverLester, Barbara & Susan Knust*BronzeHuron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority

Sunrise Local GoldVictor Daniels & SonsSilverClemens Dairy Farm Inc.BronzeAnschuetz Dairy FarmJeremy & Deseriee BeebeBennett FarmsDerek BrewerCedar Lane Dairy FarmsCircle K Farms Inc.Gallagher Dairy Farm Inc.

Joseph E. KauffmanLemajru Dairy FarmPoirier FarmsSalgat Farms LLCW-R-L Daniels Farm

Upstate Local SilverDenis L. GarvinBronzeDean and Victoria Edgecomb***Richard J. FettigMarvin J. RubinghRosendo Oviedo*Clarence A. Stachnik Jr.Charles Wm. & Charles W. Stanek

West Huron LocalBronzeDelcath FarmsTimothy & Debra KubackiDarrin Lutz Farms Inc.John C. Richmond & Sons Dairy FarmStarward FarmMichael W. Zagata

West Michigan LocalSilverWayne DekleineJohn and Philip Kuyers*Steven and Mary NienhuisArlyn J. Walt*BronzeAlfen Dairy Farms Inc.Daybreak DairyWilliam & Robert GruppenHeritage Farms LLCMelridge FarmsAl Ott Farm LLCDavid and Bertus PyleDennis RaterinkNorman Ter HaarDelwyn WedevenDale WelchWoodbridge Dairy Farm

Western U.P. LocalBronzeIho FarmsJacob and Elaine Jahfetson & Family

Quality Watch – Continued from page 6

Keep in mind that environmental regulations apply to all animal feeding operations, not just CAFOs. The penalty for having a discharge is the same no matter what size an operation is.

MMPA will continue to distribute and review the Livestock*A*Syst with our members. A scoring system based upon level of environmental protection is being developed for

the Livestock*A*Syst. The new scoring system can be used to establish a baseline for a farm and as improvements are made, the farm will be able to be rescored again to measure progress after improvements are made. Once the farm reaches 100 percent, the farm can be verified under the MAEAP Livestock System.

MMPA will provide ongoing training to all member

representatives to keep them up to date on the services MMPA offers. Our newer member representatives will be provided intensive training on a monthly basis in all areas.

All of us in MMPA’s Member Services Department wish our members a very happy and prosperous 2010!


S uccessfully transitioning the farm from one generation to the next is no longer a

concern at Buning Dairy Farm, LLC, owned by Mark Buning, his brother Norm, their father, Larry and uncle Doug. The farm partners were able to sit down and cooperatively work out a succession plan for the farm with the help of a consulting firm. According to Mark, a key to that process was open communications between the younger and older partners.

The family called on representatives from Lookout Ridge Consulting in Portage who helped open up the lines of communication between all of the farm partners and their respective families. Initially, each individual partner and his spouse met with the consultants. Later, there were many group meetings and teleconferences to work through the

many details of the succession plan.

“Working together this way helped deal with both legal and emotional items we may not have known were important had we not worked with the consultants,” Mark says.

The individual meetings allowed each partner and his spouse to speak freely with the consultants, and some of those meetings highlighted items that needed to be discussed within the family forum.

As part of their succession plan, the Bunings all get monthly profit and loss statements so every partner and his spouse knows where the farm is at financially.

“Even though Tana has a full-time job off the farm, the succession planning taught me that it’s important

to tell her what’s going on at the farm,” Mark says, admitting he used to assume she would know everything about farming just because he did.

Mark and Norm are quite like-minded as far as farm planning is concerned. While they do plan to grow the herd, Mark says right now the brothers are focused on getting back from the financial hardships of the past year.

“Right now we’re focused on recovery,” Mark says. “We’ve got debts to pay off, our milking parlor needs to be updated and we need to create additional heifer housing.”

While milk prices were still favorable last year, the Bunings built a

160-stall freestall barn to help

keep up with growing herd numbers. The farm’s 180 stall barn attached to its double-6 herringbone parlor just wasn’t big enough.

“Over the last five years, most of our herd growth has been from within the herd,” Mark says. “As we grow, the internal growth keeps getting faster. We’re having more heifer calves and herd health is better.”

Mark attributes some improvements in herd health to three times a day milking, which Mark and Norm decided to test out around two years ago.

“The 3X milking has helped with herd health because there’s people in the barn between 16-17 hours per day,” Mark explains. “We’re able to catch heats at an hour that usually someone wasn’t in the barn.”

Before implementing the additional milking, Norm and Mark discussed their plan with Larry and Doug, who agreed to it, “as long as they weren’t on the schedule for the nighttime milking,” Mark says.

The senior partners may not have been interested in the nighttime milking spot, but one of the farm’s full time employees volunteered to take all of the nighttime shifts.

“He’s done really well for us,” Mark says. “We occasionally get a call to help with a cow, but overall, he does well and can take care of downed or sick cows on his own. It’s been quite awhile since we’ve had a call from him for help.”

The Bunings value the farm’s three full-time and two part-time employees, saying they are very committed to the farming operation and have been very understanding about a current wage freeze due to the low milk price.

“They’ve all been very understanding,” Mark says. “We try to do what we can for the employees, they’ve been a blessing to us. Sometimes we give them gas cards, we always give them hamburger and

Successful Transitions 2009 MMPA District 5 OYDC Mark and Tana Buning

16 January 2010

Buning Dairy Farm Facts:MMPA Members of: District 5 and the Evart LocalHerd size: 270 milking and dry, 232 replacementsAcres farmed: 840Milking set-up: Double-6 herringbone parlorAg and community involvement: Mark formerly served on Michigan Farm Bureau’s

State Young Farmer Committee. “One thing that makes a difference on our farm is…We’re not afraid to plan for future generations.”

butter, as it’s on the farm and they may take what they need.”

The Bunings dedication to their employees is further exampled by their willingness to hold open a position for an employee who worked for them and had to return to Mexico for nine months in order to become a legal citizen of the United States.

“It was tough not having him here, but my brother’s sons helped out until he returned,” Mark says. “He came back and is a very good man to have on the farm.”

The employee is currently working toward full U.S. citizenship and is looking forward to taking his oath to the U.S. in Tiger Stadium someday.

While the farm provides the employees with some staple foods during the year, the Bunings also say it’s important to recognize employees’ efforts during the holidays.

“During the holiday season we give them gift certificates to the local merchant which has clothing, boots, coats, jeans that they can use for farm work,” Mark says. “It also gives back to the local businesses in the area.”

The Buning farm’s unique location in the center of the town of Falmouth has posed more opportunity than challenges so far. The community surrounding them is dotted with dairy and other types of farms, so the residents in general are accustomed to the sounds and smells of farms.

“The farm is right in the middle of town,” Tana says. “There is a store and a restaurant directly across the street from the farm.”

On summer nights, it’s not unusual for folks to wander over to the farm from the store or restaurant and ask to see the calves, or other parts of the Buning operation.

“Most of the time if we aren’t busy, we will take the time to talk to them and allow them to see the calves,” Mark says. “We have an open door policy.”

Being in the center of the community’s eye makes it even that much more important for the Bunings to “do things right,” according to Mark. Being verified in the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) is one of the ways the Bunings show they are being good stewards of the land.

“We were one of the MAEAP trial farms,” Mark says. “We had been doing things right, so we just had to do some small things to become verified. It wasn’t a case where we didn’t know what we needed to work on, a lot of it was stuff we procrastinated from doing such as putting fences around the manure pit.”

Mark recommends that all farmers, no matter what their farm size, should consider working toward MAEAP verification as soon as they’re able, because nobody knows what the future holds as far environmental permitting goes. He believes it is especially important to keep up with environmental recommendations as his family’s farm grows to avoid costly fixes later.

“When you grow, it’s important to know the things you need to work on,” Mark says. “Ignoring it is not good, because when the time comes it’s likely going to be very expensive to fix.”

Top: The Buning family: Haley, Mark, Tana and Katelyn.

Bottom: Cows in the farm’s new 160 stall freestall barn.


The start of the new year will mark the first significant

changes to Michigan’s TB program in several years. The recently agreed upon Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Michigan Department of Agriculture and the USDA brings Michigan one step closer to obtaining TB-free status.

“This MOU is making steps toward Michigan obtaining TB-free status for a good chunk of the Modified Accredited Advanced Zone (MAAZ),” says Michigan’s new TB Eradication Program Coordinator James Averill, DVM, PhD. “We are working toward elevating the majority of the Lower Peninsula to TB-free status.”

The basis for much of the changes stem from the adaption of wildlife risk mitigation plans (WRM) on farms. The use of a more risk-based approach to TB —looking at risk levels and incorporating management options to reduce the risk of infection — is replacing the “one-size-fits-all approach from the past.

Wildlife Risk Mitigation plans help producers identify high risks areas on their farms where cattle and wildlife co-mingle. By preventing the interaction between cattle and wildlife, producers can reduce the risk of infection. Farmers, who complete WRM plans and receive verification from the state, can reduce the amount of testing done on their herd.

The changes made in the recent MOU, which takes affect January 4, 2010, shrinks the TB-affected area to five counties: Alcona, Alpena, Montmorency, Oscoda, Presque Isle and the parts of Iosco and Ogemaw counties that are north of the “southernmost boundaries of the Huron National Forest and the Au sable State Forest.”

The areas buffering the new Modified Accredited Zone (MAZ) are broken into three subzones that have been elevated to Modified Accredited Advance Zones taking Michigan one-step closer to obtaining TB free status.

For the majority of the state — those in subzone 3 and the Upper Peninsula — the most significant change is the elimination of “lottery” or random TB testing

Cattle in the MAZ will still undergo annual whole-herd testing and farm owners must complete a Wildlife Risk Mitigation Plan (WRM).

Testing on cattle in subzone 1 (primarily the area pulled from the previous MAZ) will be determined

on the nature of the cattle operation. Breeding cattle will still be subject to required annual whole-herd testing. Feeder cattle will be tested every two years and feedlot cattle will be tested on a three-year rotation.

Farmers in subzone 1 and 2 who complete a WRM plan and are certified by MDA will not be required to conduct movement testing. If a WRM plan is not in place the current rules apply and the buyer of the cattle must complete – and pay for – testing of all breeding animals between 60 and 120 days of purchase.

“The restructuring of our TB program allows us to move forward,” Averill says. “We hope

New Year: New TB ProgramBovine TB Zone reduced to smaller area in Northeast Michigan

TB Free

MAZ

MAAZ - Subzone 1

MAAZ - Subzone 2

MAAZ - Subzone 3

Michigan Bovine TB ZonesJanuary 2010

18 January 2010

New TB Program Leader in Michigan

Creating more transparency between the Department of Agriculture and the industry is the goal of the newly hired TB

program director Dr. James Averill. Dr. Averill took over the reins of the program last August and hit the road running to complete the recently accepted MOU between the MDA and the USDA. Completing the MOU, according to Averill is just the first step.

“I want to improve the transparency between the department and the industry,” Averill says. “We need to communicate better internally with our own staff, so they understand the program and can take it to the veterinarians and the producers.”

Averill, a “farm boy” from Maine completed both his DVM and PhD programs at Michigan State University. Previously, he worked with Michigan Department of Community Health.

to put in another application with USDA later this year requesting more areas of the state to be classified TB-free. The national TB program is in need of a complete overhaul. Michigan has been very influential in driving changes in this program.”

Changes are also taking place in the financing of the TB program. Neither the state or federal government will be paying for movement testing of cattle in Subzone 1 of MAAZ come June 1, 2010; farmers will have to work with their local veterinarians to secure the test. Farmers can avoid those costs by completing a WRM plan.

There is some limited funding available to help producers make changes in fencing or facilities necessary for their WRM plans. “We have some money to help with mitigation plans but not enough,” Averill says. “We are hoping to work with the NRCS to obtain more funding for some of these items.”

Farmers moving cattle to other states will still need to check the rules of those states. Since individual states can determine the testing and certification required to enter their state, these changes only apply in Michigan.

Go to the MDA and Emerging Diseases Web sites for additional information including a booklet explaining the Split State Status and Zoning Rule changes at www.michigan.gov/mda or www.michigan.gov/emergingdiseases

The Split State Status rule is posted in the Federal Register under: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-30128.htm.

Early registrationends January 29!

Great LakesRegional DairyConferenceFebruary 11-13

Bavarian Inn Lodgeand Conference Center Frankenmuth, MI

Here’s a sampling of what you’ll hear:• Speaker lineup includes David Kohl, Charlie

Arnot, Mike Hutjens and Jorge Estrada

• 2009 was a rough year: what lessons were learned from ’09 feed and milk prices?

• Producer panels focusing on fresh cows and effective employee management teams

• A first for the GLRDC: a bilingual herdsmen session with Jorge Estrada

• Workshops on succession planning, environ-mental policy and nutrient management

• Everything you need to know about the new animal care and use guidelines

Great LakesRegional

Dairy Conference

serving the dairy industrysince 2003

www.glrdc.msu.edu


Forecasting the Future2009 MMPA District 6 OYDC Leroy and Stephanie Schafer

F or the past decade, Leroy and Stephanie Schafer have worked with Michigan State

University Extension on an annual basis to perform a full farm business analysis on their operation. The Schafers say doing so has helped them weather the current storm of low milk prices.

“Earlier in the process, we pinpointed areas where we could cut back, which is likely helping us now,” Stephanie says.

The couple uses the assistance of MSUE farm business manager Dennis Stein to perform a full farm

business analysis at least once a year. Since the Schafers have been working with Dennis to analyze their farming operation for the past 10 years, they have a good deal of historical data, which allows them to track business trends.

“We saw milk prices tanking and we decided to go to three times per day milking, which increased production without adding more cows,” Leroy says. “Our rolling herd average is up 2,200 pounds because of it.”

To make the three times per day milking logistically feasible, the

Schafers had to increase paid labor by about an hour per day. They sat down and ran the numbers to figure out how much additional milk the cows had to produce to offset the additional labor and feed costs.

“We needed to see an increase of 3.5 pounds of milk per cow per day to make three times per day milking work for us to break even at the low milk prices,” Leroy explains. “Right now we are averaging an 8 pound increase per cow per day.”

The Schafers say they will continue with the additional

daily milking, as they’ve found it increases their bottom line without additional cows and it has benefited herd health. Both Leroy and Stephanie milk the cows at least once per day so they know what is going on with the cows.

“It’s a lot better for the cows,” Leroy says. “We don’t have cows dripping anymore and it’s also helped lower the herd’s somatic cell count (SCC) by about 25,000-30,000.” The Schafers’ herd SCC now consistently runs under 150,000.

Plus, say the Schafers, the extra milking puts the cows in front of people a few more hours each day, which enables those milking to pick up on any changes in the cows’ health.

Diversification has also helped Leroy and Stephanie keep a strong bottom line during one of the longest consecutive periods of low milk prices in a decade. The Schafers own a large square baler that they custom bale straw and hay for local farmers.

“The baling business helped in the time of low milk prices,” Stephanie says. “Our customers were great at keeping their bills up to date, and nearly three quarters of them are dairy farmers.”

Leroy and Stephanie’s baler has a set of knives which processes the straw and hay so that their dairy farmer customers can use it directly in their cows’ rations, eliminating the need to run it through a bale chopper.

20 January 2010

Jem-Lot Dairy Facts:MMPA Members of: District 6 and the Mid-Michigan LocalHerd size: 133 milking and dry, 110 replacementsAcres farmed: 210

Milking set-up: Double-8 herringbone parlorAg and community involvement: Leroy is the MMPA District 6 Chairman. He also serves on the District

Nominating Committee and is a delegate for the local. He is a past member of MMPA’s State Credentials

Committee. Leroy is a director on the boards of the Clinton County Farm Bureau, Indiana State Dairy Assoc., and

Universal Labs. Stephanie is the current vice-chair of Michigan Farm Bureau’s State Young Farmer Committee,

has served on the State Farm Bureau Policy Development Committee, and is a former Clinton County Farm

Bureau board member. She is also a 4-H leader and chairs the Clinton County Livestock Committee.

“One thing that makes a difference on our farm is…We spend time analyzing our financial records, which helps us make it

through difficult times.”

Top: The Schafer family: Back: Stephanie and Leroy, Front: Kyle, 10, Keith, 9 and Allison, 12.

Bottom: The Jem-Lot milking herd.

Ironically, Leroy and Stephanie don’t grow any of their own hay, instead, they purchase it from a broker who ships it from Kansas to Jem-Lot Dairy. That decision was also financially analyzed. The Schafers say with the 210 acres they farm, it’s more economical to purchase hay and grow soybeans and corn than to grow their own alfalfa.

“We grow soybeans and sell them,” Leroy says. “That pays for the corn and bean seed.”

Even though the Schafers live in a relatively rural area with several nearby farms, the couple needs to be more cognizant than some other farms in the area because Jem-Lot Dairy is located a half-mile away from the local high school.

“Having the high school down the road causes us to watch when we haul manure,” Leroy says.

“We try to follow the rule to work the manure in within 48 hours of applying it.”

Particularly during the fall, the Schafers say they keep track of the high school’s football schedule and try not to apply

manure nearby when there is a home football game.

“We’re good stewards of the land, and we try to be considerate to our neighbors,” Stephanie says.


In Michigan, starlings often congregate at feedlots and dairies

in the winter, causing damage by consuming and contaminating feed and contributing to the spread of diseases that are harmful to cattle. To combat the damage, USDA-Wildlife Services (WS) offers dairy producers a program to reduce starlings. The key to the success of the program, says USDA Wildlife Biologist Tim Wilson, is the universal bait, which is treated with toxicant DRC-1339. The treated bait is registered for use in these situations by USDA employees only and acts by destroying kidney function of the starlings that consume it. “The toxicant is very good, very safe and effective,” Peter Butchko, Michigan Wildlife Services State Director says. “There are virtually no hazards except to the starlings.” After ingesting the toxicant, starlings begin to show signs of lethargy within 8 hours and die within 24 hours. By that time, virtually all the toxicant in their body has been metabolized, eliminating the possibility of secondary poisoning. WS points out that starlings are quite sensitive to DRC-1339 while mammals and hawks are generally resistant. Therefore, hazards to non-target animals are very low. In general, two conditions should be met to get the best results. First, it is more successful when the weather is cold and snowy. “It takes the proper weather for it to work.” MMPA producer Bob Shinn, of Croswell, says. “The birds have to want to go inside to eat, so if it’s cold and snow covered you’ll get the best results with the program.” The second is to establish good bait acceptance. This involves the producer providing a supply of bait in the same place everyday until the birds are feeding on it reliably. WS provides the bait and helps to

select the bait site. When the birds are feeding on the bait reliably, a WS employee delivers bait treated with the toxicant and remains on site while it is available to the birds. At the end of the day, the WS employee removes any remaining bait. “The guy they’ve had to do the program on our farm has done a good job, he stops here several times to check, putting the bait and poison out,” Bob says. “We don’t have anything to do with it except to notify him and let him know when the best time is and tell him what the bird population is.” Where good bait acceptance has been established, WS reports that significant starling reductions of 75 percent to 95 percent have been achieved in most cases, though they can’t guarantee results. “The only time it hasn’t worked well for us is if we started baiting and if the weather warms up,” Bob says. “When the starlings don’t come in to eat then they don’t get enough of the poison.” Even with the one incidence where the control program wasn’t ideal due to the weather, Bob says overall, he’s pleased with the program, noting the $550 cost for the program is “very reasonable for what they do.” Bob and WS both recommend contacting neighboring farms to bait the starlings on the same day. “If you have more than one farm in the area, I think it works best if they do it all at the same time,” Bob says. “Otherwise birds have a tendency to go from farm to farm and you won’t have a good kill if you just do it on an individual farm.” MMPA producer Jeremy Werth, of Alpena, agrees with the multi farm concept, explaining that “it does work better when we team up with another farm because starlings do travel from farm to farm.” Jeremy utilizes the starling control program each year, along

with other MMPA members in his area, reaping a two-fold benefit for both farms: a better starling kill and lower per farm costs to administer the program. In addition, Jeremy says he has found starling control helps reduce the amount of false positive tests that can occur during Bovine TB testing. “We found starling feces caused the cattle to be more prone to false positives during TB testing,” Jeremy says. Contacting non-farming neighbors to let them know what is occurring on the day the bait is set out is always a good idea, says WS, considering that the birds that consume the treated bait die overnight, probably at their roost site. While it could be on the farm, it could also be on the property of a neighbor. Although the dead birds do not pose a threat to humans or pets, it is recommended that farmers advise their neighbors to avoid unnecessary concern. WS takes care of advising agencies such as the Michigan Departments of Natural Resources and Agriculture. For more information, contact the USDA-Wildlife Services Starling Control Program at 517-336-1928.

Starling Control Works on Michigan Dairies

Starlings on a barn at a Michigan dairy farm.

22 January 2010

MMPA 2009-2010 Local Meeting Schedule

MMPA Local Meeting ScheduleLocal Date Place Location Time SpeakerAdrian Tuesday, Jan. 5 Rome Grange Hall 12:00 noon Clay Galarneau

Frankenmuth Tuesday, Jan. 5 Black Forest Restaurant Frankenmuth 12:00 noon Ken Nobis

Hillman Tuesday, Jan. 5 Hillman Community Center Hillman 11:30 a.m. John Dilland

Flint Wednesday, Jan. 6 Ruggero’s Flint 12:00 noon John Dilland

Ingham County Wednesday, Jan. 6 Wooden Nickel Dansville 11:30 a.m. Carl Rasch

West Michigan Wednesday, Jan. 6 Zeeland Township Hall Vriesland 11:30 a.m Ken Nobis

Bad Axe Thursday, Jan. 7 Huron County Expo Center Bad Axe 11:30 a.m. John Dilland

Dairyland Thursday, Jan. 7 Bloomer Township Hall Carson City 12:00 noon Sheila Burkhardt

Mid-Michigan Thursday, Jan. 7 Clinton County RESA St. Johns 11:30 a.m. Ken Nobis

Alma Friday, Jan. 8 Maxfield’s Restaurant Wyman 11:30 a.m. Ken Nobis

West Huron Saturday, Jan. 9 Immanuel Lutheran Church Sebewaing 12:00 noon John Dilland

Deckerville Saturday, Jan. 9 St. John’s Lutheran Church Palms 12:00 noon Ken Nobis

Deford/Clifford-Mayville

Monday, Jan. 11 Liz’s American Diner Caro 12:00 noon Gary Trimner

Owosso Monday, Jan. 11 Drew’s Owosso 12:00 noon Clay Galarneau

Muskegon Tuesday, Jan. 12 Russ’ Banquet Room Muskegon 11:30 a.m. John Dilland

Saline-Ann Arbor Tuesday, Jan. 12 Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds

Ann Arbor 12:00 noon Ken Nobis

Grand Rapids Wednesday, Jan. 13 Fire Mountain Comstock Park 11:45 a.m. John Dilland

St. Clair-Macomb Wednesday, Jan. 13 Goodells County Park Goodells 12:00 noon Sheila Burkhardt

Evart Thursday, Jan. 14 McGuire’s Resort Cadillac 11:00 a.m. John Dilland

Hillsdale-Litchfield Thursday, Jan. 14 Hillsdale County Fairgrounds Hillsdale 12:00 noon Clay Galarneau

Blossomland Friday, Jan. 15 Zeke’s Restaurant Dowagiac 12:30 p.m. John Dilland

Mt. Pleasant Friday, Jan. 15 Riverwood Mt. Pleasant 11:30 a.m. Gary Trimner

Brown City-Marlette Saturday, Jan. 16 Eddie G’s Marlette 12:00 noon Sheila Burkhardt

Constantine Saturday, Jan. 16 Siloam Fellowship Hall Goshen, IN 10:45 a.m. John Dilland

Lansing Saturday, Jan. 16 Saites Brothers Catering Potterville 11:00 a.m. Ken Nobis

Lapeer County Plus Monday, Jan. 18 Tietz’s Restaurant Imlay City 11:30 a.m. Ken Nobis

Clare Tuesday, Jan. 19 Clare Church of the Nazarene Clare 11:00 a.m. Ken Nobis

Jackson Co. Plus Wednesday, Jan. 20 Gene Davis and Sons Jackson 12:00 noon Ken Nobis

Southern Sanilac/Sandusky(joint meeting)

Wednesday, Jan. 20 West Park Motor Inn Sandusky 7:00 p.m. Carl Rasch


While 2009 is not a year in which many dairy farmers will look favorably upon in respect to

mailbox prices, MMPA members will likely remember the year as one which gave their cooperative an increased ability to market their milk to the greatest advantage possible through a $62 million expansion to the cooperative’s Ovid manufacturing plant.

MMPA Leaders learned more about the Ovid expansion, gained insight about their cooperative, dairy markets, industry issues, the healthfulness of dairy products and an industry plan to prevent another year like 2009 during the cooperative’s annual Leaders’ Conference held in East Lansing on November 23. The meeting marks the official beginning of MMPA’s annual meeting season, and all MMPA members holding leadership positions at state, district or local levels, are invited to attend the daylong information session.

Since 2009 brought very little good news as far as dairy markets were concerned, MMPA General Manager

John Dilland kicked the morning off by addressing the “low-lights” of 2009, which included an overview of the domestic and global recessions and the worldwide financial meltdown.

He noted that MMPA marketed 3.9 billion pounds of milk in FY2009, up from previous years, and “in spite of hard times, our milk production trends continue to rise.” The Ovid plant expansion will help absorb much of the projected increase in member milk production, but will also increase MMPA’s long-term debt.

“This project is going to have a significant impact on our balance sheet,” John said. “Long-term debt will increase due to the financing of this project.” John reassured members saying the cooperative’s financial position continues to be strong and within a couple of years, MMPA’s equity will again be greater than its debt, with projected debt obligations being amortized over 15 years.

Combined, MMPA paid out $28 million to members in the form of rBST, quality and volume premiums. In addition, the cooperative paid $3.8 million to the Cooperatives Working

Leaders’ Conference 2009

Battle Creek-Homer Local Wins MMPAC Challenge

Congratulations to the Battle Creek- Homer Local for winning this year’s “MMPAC 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. The winner of the “MMPAC Challenge” was announced at Leaders’ Conference. The Battle Creek-Homer Local 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.

John Dilland, Ken Nobis and Dr. Adam Lock answered questions following their presentations during the morning session.

24 January 2010

Together program, which helped to boost dairy prices during the year.

In October, USDA predicted 2009’s all-milk price to be around $12.26 per cwt., which, according to John, puts MMPA’s all-milk price approximately 50-60 cents per cwt. higher than the national average. He noted that USDA’s predictions for 2010 show all-milk prices recovering approximately $4.00 per cwt. from the previous year.

MMPA President Ken Nobis gave an overview of the Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) program, climate change legislation, animal care legislation and Michigan’s state budget situation.

National climate change legislation will likely sit in committee in the Senate for quite some time, Ken reports. While MMPA and National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) are not in favor of climate change legislation per se, Ken noted that the dairy industry is working with legislators on it so that “we could be at the table and could have the opportunity to influence the legislation so that if it does happen, it’s not going to have a serious economic effect to our industry.”

Ken discussed the National Dairy FARM (Farmers Assuring Responsible Management) program, a nation-wide, verifiable program that addresses animal well being. Its mission is to demonstrate and verify that U.S. milk producers are committed to providing the highest standards of animal care and quality assurance.

“The pressure is coming from corporate America not necessarily the government,” Ken explained of the need for the FARM program. “We are going to have to adopt an animal care program eventually, and NMPF felt it would be best to have a national voluntary program.”

Ken commended the members for their contributions to the MMPA Political Action Committee, and presented a plaque to this year’s winner of the MMPAC Challenge, MMPA’s Battle Creek-Homer Local.

Dr. Adam Lock, Assistant Professor in the MSU Department of Animal Science discussed how cows metabolize lipids from saturated fats in the rumen into unsaturated fats in the udder. He says changes in rumen bacteria are the key to understanding how this process occurs as well as how and why some cows produce lower milk fat.

Dr. Lock has also conducted research which may indicate that trans-fats from dairy products are very different than those from vegetable based sources. So much that his findings are showing that trans-fats in

dairy have a beneficial effect on plasma cholesterol markers in humans, whereas trans-fats from vegetable sources have a negative effect.

Prior to lunch, MMPA Treasurer Velmar Green was honored for his continuous service on the MMPA Board over the past 40 years. A donation of $5,000 was made in his name to the Michigan Dairy Memorial and Scholarship Foundation, which will enable five additional students to receive MDMSF scholarships in the coming year.

“I take pride in the fact that I was one of the first recipients of the MDMSF scholarships,” Velmar said, thanking the MMPA group. “I am proud of this [MMPA] organization and what it’s done for farmers for many, many years.”

MMPA 2009 OYDC Jeremy Werth chaired the luncheon honoring all of the 2009 District OYDCs. The MMPA scholarship winners were also recognized during the lunch.

During lunch, Congressman Mark Schauer (D-7th) discussed what it was like being a member of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee, noting he appreciated the opportunity to attend MMPA’s Leaders’ Conference so he could listen and learn from the dairy farmers. He pledged to “work to ensure that milk is a requirement as school regulations move forward.”

The senior division 2009 Michigan Dairy Ambassador Nicole Schaendorf, of Allegan, gave an overview of her experiences as ambassador, encouraging the group to recommend the program to other young dairy farmers.

“It’s been a heck of a year,” Jerry Kozak, president and CEO of NMPF told the attendees at the onset of the afternoon session. “Dairy farmers are the most resilient group of people in the agriculture industry.”

MMPA Treasurer Velmar Green (center) was honored for his continuous service on the MMPA Board over the past 40 years. John Dilland (right) presented Dr. Miriam Weber-Nielsen (left) with a donation of $5,000 in Velmar’s name to the Michigan Dairy Memorial and Scholarship Foundation.



A recent advertisement by a Milking Equipment Manufacturer caught my attention. It stated

“Whatever your priority—milking more cows more quickly, operator comfort and safety, or highest milk quality—and whether you have 30 or 50 cows, 200 or 2,000, we have a solution for you.”

What’s your priority – Milk Quality or Cows per Hour? While this advertisement is an excellent reflection of the decisions dairy producers are faced with, it seems to suggest that dairy producers should make a choice between milk quality, more cows per hour and operator comfort and safety. While all three priorities are critical to a healthy dairy operation, in my opinion, the first priority should always be ‘highest milk quality possible.’ I am convinced that dairy producers of the future—those who will be milking cows in 2025 and the years beyond—are the producers who make milk quality the highest priority. All three priorities can be accomplished without demoting one or two of the priorities to a less important position. I am also convinced that the driving desire to milk more cows faster often leads to shortcuts in the udder prep that eventually impact milk quality. That’s a trade off dairy producers who plan to be around for the long term can’t afford to make.

MMPA Milk Quality Ranks with the Best in the Nation More and more MMPA members have proudly made the choice to produce the best quality milk possible. The number of MMPA members receiving quality awards at their annual local meetings is on the rise. MMPA members are always among the winners in the prestigious National Dairy Quality Awards Program. Possibly the most convincing evidence that many MMPA members make milk quality their highest priority is that the SCC average of all the milk produced by MMPA members in October was only 202,000.

SCC – The Preferred Indicator of Quality The dairy farms that are best prepared to survive in the industry will likely soon consider a bulk tank SCC of 200,000 as too high. In the near future, it is entirely possible that 100,000 SCC will be the new 200,000 SCC. MMPA’s cooperative average in October means that about 50 percent of the milk produced by MMPA members is already below 200,000 SCC. Some of these members are producing milk with a SCC of under 100,000. If low SCC levels are not just an accidental blessing, what practices allow some producers to move from good to great? How is it possible that some producers consistently produce milk under 100,000 while others are always over 200,000?

Don’t Cheat on Teat Cleaning Award winning milk quality starts with clean dry housing, but is finished in the parlor with excellent udder prep. Every task, event or activity that is part of the milking routine has a time requirement. The time spent to complete some of the events or tasks involved in the milking routine can be reduced without reducing milk quality or increasing unit on time. Unfortunately, the time spent performing certain tasks (such as the time spent cleaning teats) can’t be reduced without significant consequences regarding milk quality and unit on time. The path to a SCC consistently under 200,000 or eventually under 100,000 (whichever is your goal) starts with the decision to commit adequate time to those tasks that most affect milk quality and unit on time. This is also where the confusion starts. Which tasks are really the most critical to milk quality and unit on time?

Some Basic Truths About Udder Prep• More seconds spent cleaning the teat barrel and teat end removes more bacteria from teat skin.• Bacteria left on teat skin and teat ends are the bacteria that cause new mastitis infections. • The more bacteria left on teat skin and teat ends, the more bacteria that end up in the milk. • More seconds spent cleaning teats stimulates the cow to produce more oxytocin.• A full oxytocin response is necessary for fast milk out.• A minimum of 10 seconds of stimulation is needed to generate a full oxytocin response • Oxytocin has a short life, long lag times waste oxytocin.• Shorter unit on times (fast milk out) are best for mammary health. If the time spent cleaning teats is too short, several aspects of milk quality are in jeopardy. Less time spent cleaning teats leaves more bacteria on the teat skin, allows more bacteria into the bulk tank, leads to longer unit on time and will eventually result in a higher new infection rate in lactating cows.

Cows per Hour vs. Milk Quality – You don’t have to choose! Milking speed is a high priority item on dairies of any size. Time is precious and labor is expensive, so most dairy producers strive to milk as many cows per hour with as few people as possible. The emphasis on milking speed often unintentionally compromises milk quality in ways that are not obvious without critical analysis. The assumption is that more cows can be milked per hour if less time is spent cleaning teats. While this

MMPA Milk Quality – The Pursuit of ExcellenceBy Tom Herremans, MMPA Mastitis Management Supervisor

26 January 2010

assumption may appear to be true at first, research and data analysis reveal evidence that milk quality, length of unit on time, and even the rate of new infections are among the costs associated with reduced time spent on teat cleaning. Milking routines can be fine tuned to milk cows quickly without sacrificing milk quality. Those routines are not complicated, but do require attention to the timing and technique, and must be performed with consistency.

Milking Performance Study Last summer, MMPA field staff and intern Karen Bastek conducted a study to identify the tasks involved and the time involved which resulted in the best milking performance. Data was collected from parlors that could generate parlor performance reports. Instead of using just cows per hour as the criteria for successful performance, the study looked closely at unit on time per cow and the milk flow rate over the time the milking unit was attached. Using these criteria allowed us to evaluate milking performance without production levels or frequency of milking to skew the results. The study included farms milking 2X and 3X with production ranging from 21 lbs. of milk per milking to over 50 lbs. of milk per milking. Procedures were observed and the times for each task (cleaning & stimulation) were documented. The lag time (time from the start of stimulation until unit was attached) was also collected. The data from the milking observed was collected from the computer systems and matched to the timing of the tasks observed.

Stimulation, Lag Time Make a Difference The more milk a cow gives at a milking, the longer it takes to remove that milk. By factoring the flow rate per minute against the unit on time, a clearer picture of milking performance emerged. The milking routines that included a minimum of 10 seconds of stimulation time in combination with a lag time of 90 to 120 seconds resulted in the highest flow rates per minute and the shortest unit on times. When the study collected the same data on the same farms at different milking shifts, the data again revealed that when the minimum stimulation or the lag time was out of tolerance, the milking performance suffered. Initial conclusions suggest that the most important factor to achieve optimum milking performance is the amount of time spent doing the cleaning/stimulation portion of the udder prep. Adequate time (10 to 15 seconds) spent cleaning and stimulating must be spent if optimum milking performance and excellent milk quality are your goals.

Don’t Let Data Fool You A review of milking time data on parlor reports can be as misleading if you don’t consider the data that has the greatest potential to affect milk quality and

mammary health. Cows per hour is a good evaluation tool, but it is only one piece to the puzzle that completes the total picture of the milking performance puzzle. If you do not look at all the data pertinent to milking performance, you may feel good about your cows per hour while your milk quality never reaches your expectation.

Milking Routines not Performed as Trained This small study also revealed another interesting fact. Of the 23 farms interviewed for the study, 96 percent of the farms have a milking routine that is specific to that farm and the employees are all trained in that routine. Unfortunately only 22 percent of the employees observed actually met the stimulation time goal for that farm. Only 38 percent of the employees observed actually achieved the lag time goal for that farm routine. Considering this information, thousands of cows are being milked using milking routines that are not what the farm owner trained the employees to do. If the final chance to achieve excellent milk quality is really tied to how well the milking routine is carried out, dairy producers can’t afford to assume that their milking routine is as good as they think it is. If employees are being paid to perform the farms milking routine, that routine needs to be correct and it needs to be performed the same by everyone.

MMPA Milker Training Schools Every year, MMPA offers a unique opportunity to its members and their employees. The milker training schools are a day-long sessions, which address the most important principles involved in developing an excellent milking routine. The course content is designed to address the concerns of owners and employees alike. The concepts discussed at the school apply to small or large operations with equal relevance and to any facility and milking equipment. Last year, MMPA recognized two farms as co-winners of their top quality award for the entire cooperative: The MSU Campus Dairy and Kevin Cavanaugh. They are examples of the best of the best. When Kevin was interviewed about his award he was quoted as saying, “I did send all of my employees to the MMPA Milker Training Schools last year and that made a big difference. We just do what they taught us to do. I now send them every year and I went this past spring. If everyone went to the milker training schools, and did what they taught, they would all qualify for quality premiums.” If your priority is the highest milk quality possible—and whether you have 30 or 50 cows, 200 or 2,000 cows MMPA has a Milker Training School for you. The 2010 Milker Training Schools start in February and your registration form is found on page 31 of this Messenger.


NMPF Urges Surplus Nonfat Dry Milk Use for Afghan Schools

At NMPF’s Annual Meeting in Grapevine, TX, USDA Under Secretary Jim Miller reiterated the Department’s strong support for dairy farmers, and asked for suggestions for the use of nearly 60 million pounds of surplus nonfat dry milk purchased by the Commodity Credit Corporation earlier this year under the price support program.

In response, NMPF has urged USDA to work with the Department of Defense to ship those stocks to Afghanistan for processing into school milk at a new plant outside Kabul. In this way, U.S. powder stocks would support the fledgling Afghan dairy processing industry, help establish outlets for Afghan farmers, and develop markets for U.S. exports.

More importantly, U.S. commanders on the ground in Afghanistan have identified education as a “number one priority” in promoting Afghanistan’s peaceful development. Under this program, surplus dry milk stocks will also provide important nutrition for Afghan children and encourage many parents to send their children to school who would not otherwise do so, providing critical support to America’s troops in the country.

NMPF President & CEO Jerry Kozak said of the initiative: “We believe this is the best possible use for this surplus powder, on many levels.”

Leaders’ Conf. – Continued from page 25

SAVE THE DATE! FEBRUARY 25-26, 2010Lexington Lansing Hotel, formerly known as the Lansing Sheraton Hotel

925 South Creyts Road, Lansing, MI

29th Annual Dairy Product Promotion

Seminar

Hosted by Dairy Diplomats of Michigan

Don’t have internet access? Look for your registration brochure in the mail. For more information, call Diane Drago toll free at (877) 258-7686.

Registration brochures are availableonline at www.udim.org.

Learn tips and techniques on how to create and share your unique dairy story from featured presentations given by Michele Payn-Knoper and the Go Comedy Improv Theatre.

MichelePayn-KnoperCause Matters Corp

Laugh out loud with the

Jerry then explained how the current “price collapse isn’t because of one single factor,” but that one of the big issues is volatility. “We aren’t going to eliminate volatility, but we think we can provide a mechanism to moderate volatility,” stating that “the best we can do is try to manage it by providing tools to manage it in a much more deliberate way than ever before.”

NMPF’s Foundation for the Future is made up of several elements aimed at managing price volatility going into the future. The details of each portion of the program are still being ironed out, but the four main elements of the program include: a Producer Income Insurance Program, revised federal support programs, Federal Milk Marketing Order Reform and revitalizing the CWT program. For more information, go to www.NMPF.org and watch the “NMPF 2009 Video Update.”

28 January 2010

Example:

My Sign:

Send Sign To: _____________________________________________________________________ (Name)

______________________________________________________________________ (Address, including house number and road name)

______________________________________________________________________ (City, State and Zip Code)

Method of Payment ($40 per sign): Enclosed is my check or money order for _______as payment for ____ MMPA member sign(s).

Please deduct the cost of the farm sign from my milk check. Permit Number ___________ Location ________________ Hauler _______________

Signature_________________________________________________________

MMPA Member Farm Sign

This 24” x 36” reinforced fiberglass sign comes personalized with your name or farm name on both sides. Resists moisture and other forms of weathering. The cost is $40 per sign.

You can receive a $25 rebate toward the member merchandise program by taking a picture of your sign in-stalled on your farm.

Mail order form and picture for the rebate to: MMPA Member Sign, Michigan Milk Producers Associa-tion, PO Box 8002, Novi, MI 48376.

Please allow 4-5 weeks for delivery.

Order Yours Today!My name (or farm name) should appear as follows: Print clearly in capital letters. One square for each letter, number, punctuation mark or space between words. (Try not to use more than 22 squares.)

A L I N C O L N & S O N S

Your Name


The eighth annual Great Lakes Regional Dairy Conference

(GLRDC) will host a wide array of top-notch speakers addressing the myriad of challenges facing today’s dairy farmers. From exploring animal welfare issues to implementing effective management teams and learning from last year’s high feed and low milk prices, the two-day conference will touch upon many of today’s hot-button industry issues.

“Each year we seek out topics that are relevant to the current dairy situation and will resonate with producers,” says Faith Cullens, GLRDC program chairperson and Michigan State University (MSU) Extension dairy educator. “I think we have put together one of our best slates of speakers yet. In 2009 we welcomed more than 350 producers and dairy industry representatives. We hope to build on that momentum by delivering another high-impact conference in 2010.”

The 2010 Great Lakes Regional Dairy Conference will be held February 11-13 at the Bavarian Inn Lodge and Conference Center in Frankenmuth. The conference includes two days of educational sessions, one half-day of breed association and youth meetings and an industry-wide awards banquet honoring a host of industry winners including the MSU Dairy Farmer of the Year.

Keynoting on the first day of the 2010 conference is Charlie Arnot, CEO of the Center for Food Integrity. Arnot will address the gap between public expectations of the dairy industry and the reality of today’s industry. He will help dairy farmers understand what consumers

expect and how to build public trust.

Also headlining the event is Dr. David Kohl, president of Agri-visions, LLC, and professor emeritus of agricultural finance and small business management, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Dr. Kohl will present his high-energy perspective on how producers should position their businesses for tomorrow and beyond. His talk concludes the Friday morning schedule.

Other speakers presenting at the annual event include:

• Dr. Michael Hutjens, University of Illinois Dairy Extension specialist

• Dr. Adam Lock, MSU assistant professor of animal science

• Dr. Michael Allen, University Distinguished Professor, MSU Department of Animal Science

• Jamie Jonker, Director of Regulatory Affairs, National Milk Producers Federation

• Roger W. Thomson, D.V.M., Team Management Concepts

Michigan dairy farmers will take part in two producer panels during the conference. On Thursday afternoon, Jorge Estrada, employee management expert with Estrada, Simmonds & Associates, will moderate the panel discussion on effectively managing high performance teams. Friday’s panel discussion, lead by Roger Thomson, D.V.M., will focus on fresh cow management strategies.

Estrada will also conduct a bilingual herdsmen session on Thursday evening called “Closing the Cultural Gap with My Employees.”

“We pack in as much information as we can in two days,” Cullens says. “We pull together a wide range of speakers that can appeal to all dairy farmers at some level.”

The GLRDC Partners Program will be held in conjunction with the educational management seminars. In addition to listening in on several of the general sessions, Partners Program participants will have fun learning about social media tools and how to implement them, hearing how university-age students are confronting animal rights issues on campus and off, and hearing how two farm families organized their own consumer education events. Attendees will also have the chance to bake their own “Dorothy Zehnder” apple or cherry streudel, one of Frankenmuth’s signature desserts, in the Bavarian Inn Restaurant kitchens.

Other conference highlights include the fifth annual Great Lakes Commercial Heifer Extravaganza Sale, a trade show and the Michigan Dairy Ambassador Scholarship and Leadership Program interviews.

Registration forms are available online at www.glrdc.msu.edu or by calling 517-353-3173, ext. 229. Registrations received before Jan. 29 will receive a $50 early bird discount. Online registration closes Feb. 8, 2010.

Learning How To Do More With Less In An Ever-Changing Dairy World: 8th Annual Great Lakes Regional Dairy Conference

30 January 2010

Milker Training School Locations and Dates

Registration: 9:30 a.m. Program: 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Lunch is provided

Newaygo February 17 Cronk’s Oakridge Restaurant

Shipshewana, IN February 23 Country Inn & Suites February 24 (Tentative)

Grayling March 9 Ramada Inn

Marlette March 24 Eddie G’s March 25 (Tentative)

Portland March 30– English Wagonwheel American Grill March 31– Spanish

Please note: “Tentative” days are scheduled only if needed depending on number of registrations.

Milker Training Registration

Name

Address

Telephone

Producer Permit Number

Date and location of session you will attend:

Number of people attending:

English

Hispanic

Send this form to: MMPA Milker Training School P.O. Box 8002 Novi, MI 48376-8002

MMPA sponsors Milker Training School classes for members and their employees on proper milking

techniques and optimal udder prep procedures. Tom Herremans, Tom Stakenas, Katie Pierson and Christy Dinsmoore will conduct the day-long sessions.

If you are a dairy farm owner who does all the milking, you may be already aware of the importance of proper udder prep and milking procedure for mastitis control and milk quality. These concepts are presented in the classes with hands-on training and instruction. If you use hired labor, you are aware that the milker labor pool is shrinking and good experienced labor is even scarcer. To develop good workers, it is critical that they understand how important their performance is to the cow, the production of high quality milk and to the success of your dairy operation.

Hispanic Milker Training Schools The number of Hispanic milkers on Michigan dairy farms is growing. They are often enthusiastic, cooperative employees. However, the language barrier often makes communication between milker and owner difficult. For this reason, MMPA offers Hispanic Milker Training Schools. Again this year, we are offering a concurrent but separate session in English for the employers and milking supervisors of the Hispanic employees attending. An overview of what is being taught in the Hispanic session will be presented to the

supervisors so they will know techniques the employees are taught.

The courses are offered free of charge to MMPA members and their employees. The presentation has been modified to allow more time for discussion and address specific milking routine questions. A schedule and registration form is listed below. Reservations for all schools are required. Each school is limited to 25 people, however, a second session may be held to meet demand. Please register as early as possible to help us determine if a second day is needed at some locations. Contact your MMPA MemberRepresentative or Member Services Department in the Novi office with any questions.

Schools at alternate locations The locations for the 2010 Milker Training Schools were selected based on MMPA producer responses to the Milker Training School survey sent to members in the October 27 milk check. Schools were located in any area where 25 or more members requested a school.

If members would like a school offered in an area other than the locations already selected, and know that 20-25 people would attend from that area, we can still schedule a school for that area. To request a school not listed in a location below, contact Tom Stakenas at 989-289-7310 or [email protected]

2010 MMPA Milker Training Schools


WintercareWintercare is a very gentle, orange post-dip with 74 percent skin conditioners, moisturizers, and emollients that provides excellent skin care. Bacteria kill and mastitis prevention is handled by a 1 percent Capric/Caprylic acid combination. The unique skin conditioners form a film on the teat surface that helps seal the orifice. Extreme weather conditions and cold wind chill may require cow’s teat ends to be blotted after dipping.

Stock# Item Member Price

3535 Wintercare – 5 gallon $87.06

3536 Wintercare – 15 gallon $250.31

Udder CreamFor those of you with cows that experience some teat chapping or freezing, Ken Ag’s Udder Cream can help. This product can be used in cold or warm weather. Udder Cream softens and soothes chapped teats and udders in wintertime and aids in the prevention of dryness during sunny and windy summer conditions. Caution: To avoid contamination of milk, thoroughly wash and dry udder and teats before each milking using an individual clean towel.


5710 Udder Cream 14 oz. tub $4.88

ArtecEcolab’s Artec is a blue post-dip that is effective against mastitis-forming bacteria with the use of 1.5 percent heptanoic acid. It was proven to work very quickly in only 15 seconds of kill time. Artec also contains a triple blend of emollients for superior teat conditioning (78 percent system including glycerin and lanolin). The dip can be used very well during cold weather as skin protection reducing the need for teat salves or creams. Extreme weather conditions and cold wind chill may require cow’s teat ends to be blotted after dipping.


6064 Artec – 5 gallon $92.25

6981 Artec – 15 gallon $265.75

6077 Artec – 55 gallon $893.13

Supervisor: Joe Mishler 989-681-2334 Fax: 989-681-3988 Toll Free: 877-367-6455 Orders (Novi) 800-572-5824 then dial 2

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

Winter Teat Dips

REGISTERED HOLSTEIN BULLSOVER 100 SERVICE AGE BULLS FOR YOUR SELECTION! A SPECIAL HERD SIRE OR A TRUCK LOAD OF BREEDER BULLS. READY TO GO TO WORK ON YOUR FARM!

GREEN MEADOW FARMS

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

● FROM OUR TOP PRODUCTION COWS.

6400 HOLLISTER RD.

ELSIE, MI 48831

PH: 989-862-4291

As colder weather draws nearer, it might be a good time to think about the use of a “winter dip.” MMPA has two such products in our warehouse: A& L’s Wintercare and Ecolab’s Artec. Both products can be used year round, but are designed specifically for cold weather application.

Order Your MMPA Merchandise

through your milk hauler or call:

32 January 2010

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

Rick SchoenhofenW5389 North Shore Dr.

Shawano, WI 54166715-524-2928

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 and SCC.

Additional testing can be coordinated through your MMPA Member Representative to include: Total coliform, E-Coli, raw bacteria count, and components.

All herd tests must be scheduled with the laboratory through your MMPA Member Representative. At the discretion of the Director of Member Services, unscheduled cow samples will be charged at $2 per sample.

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

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 - 275,000 +10¢/cwt.• 276,000 - 500,000 00¢/cwt.• 501,000 - 600,000 -10¢/cwt.• 601,000 - 750,000 -50¢/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


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.

BullsREGISTERED 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 Web site at www.greenmeadowfarms.com.

SERVICE AGE HOLSTEIN BULLS. Call Steve Alexander, 810-622-8545 evenings or 810-404-8546.

RED & WHITE AND B&W HOLSTEIN BULLS. Also, Jersey-Holstein crossbred bulls. Dams are high fat and protein testing. Phone Jerry Good, 616-262-6904. Free delivery.

SERVICE AGE HOLSTEIN BULL from ET flush cow. 810-679-3948.

REG. SERVICE AGE HOLSTEIN BULLS. Also, 5 CalfTel hutches. 517-445-2662.

SERVICE AGE BULLS, SWISS HOLSTEIN/JERSEY HOLSTEIN CROSS, 100% AI. 810-724-8825.

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.www.verhageholsteins.com

Cows/HeifersRUMEN CANULATED CULL COWS: Collect rumen fluids to use when treating cows that are off feed. Will help reestablish normal rumen bacteria. 517-355-7473 or 517-204-1049.

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

Equipment20 FT. STEEL GRAIN BOX w/ hoist, nice cond. 810-531-4619.

ROSKAMP ROLLER BLOWER, $1,500. 10 ft. Waldron blade, J.D., $1,000. 6 – Mirofount 2 hole waterers, $50 ea. Call Mike, 734-368-7366.

WOODS 214 BAT WING MOWER, good blades, $3,500. 2001 J.D. 930F platform pto shafts and contour master, $14,500. N.H. 195 spreader, dual apron chain, poly floor, end gate, good, $8,500. 810-724-0068.

GENERATORSWinpower & KatolightStocking up to 100 KW

24 HOUREMERGENCY SERVICE

serving Michiganfor the past 30 years800-345-1887

MIDWEST POWER SYSTEMS

34 January 2010

PATZ BARN CLEANER, right hand, chain appr. 265 ft., elevator, 19 ½ ft., w/ drive unit, $2,000. 616-681-9668.

75 MSU FREESTALLS AND CLAMPS. 30 sets of J&D 4 hole headlocks. 517-819-8871.

USED SILO DOORS, $10/door. 810-724-8825.

2,000 FT. OF RUBBER MAT, 7/16 thick, 6 ft. wide, 100 ft. rolls and 40 ft. rolls available, used 2 ½ yrs., can be used for mattress top cover or alley mats, like new, $12/linear ft. 989-386-3816.

Dairy EquipmentDELAVAL VACUUM PUMP, $300. 989-673-3999.

650 GAL. MUELLER HIGH PERFORMANCE BULK TANK w/ new compressor. DeLaval 3 in. pipeline, appr. 200 ft. DeLaval 78 pump w/ 5 hp motor. DeLaval double 4 parlor, used 4 yrs., out of barn. XR16A semen tank w/ 42 units of semen. 989-551-0713.

DOUBLE 10 PARALLEL, BLUE DIAMOND, RAPID EXIT PARLOR, stainless enclosed cabinetry w/ advisory takeoffs, $15,000. 231-768-5245.

1995 MUELLER 4,000 GAL. BULK MILK TANK, 2 – 5 hp compressors and high speed washer, in great cond., make offer. DeLaval SST2 take offs and other parts, 32 units, some for parts, make off. 1570 Case tractor, needs some repairs, $5,000 or best offer. 616-262-0551.

Wanted2 ROW JD SNAPPER HEAD. 260-705-8185.

¾ OR 1 TON 4X4 DIESEL FARM TRUCK. Also wanted 730, 830 or 930 Case tractor for parts. 989-673-3999.

PLASTIC OR FIBERGLASS CALF HUTCHES. 260-705-8185.

MANURE PUMP, 6 IN. ON WHEELS. 231-924-2430.

®, TM, SM Trademarks and service marks of Pioneer Hi-Bred.All purchases are subject to the terms of labeling and purchase documents. © 2009 PHII ADTVS013530P360MVAR2

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Start getting more mileage from your silage with 11CFT.

To learn how, contact your local Pioneer sales professional

today or visit www.pioneer.com/forage


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

Classified Ads ($5.65 per line)

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. ______________________________________WANTED TO BUY: USED BULK MILK TANKS, 200 gallons & larger, Sunset & Mueller. 1-800-558-0112.______________________________________FOR SALE: 5000-4000-3000-2500-2000-1500 OH MUELLER LATE MODEL BULK TANK MILK TANKS, complete, will trade. 1-800-558-0112.______________________________________DAIRYTECH MILK PASTEURIZER: DT30W, 4-30 gals., feeds 4-60 calves, $4,900. 517-420-0414. ______________________________________GENERATOR: 175 KW, CUMMINS DIESEL w/ housing, fuel tank and automatic switch, like new, 300 hrs. 248-770-5122.______________________________________4X6 ROUND STRAW BALES, stored inside, $80/ton plus delivery. 810-384-6538 or 810-841-5405.______________________________________

ClassifiedsCall 1-800-572-5824 ext. 224

®, TM, SM Trademarks and service marks of Pioneer Hi-Bred.All purchases are subject to the terms of labeling and purchase documents. © 2009 PHII CRNSL013531P360MVD

From planting through feedout, your local Pioneer sales profes-

sional can offer you silage hybrids with higher yield potential

and digestibility, crop specific inoculants and knowledgeable

advice — along with helpful tips about silage harvest and bunker

management and much more. Let Pioneer help you get more

milk out of every acre. For more information, visit

www.pioneer.com/forage

Leading the way to more nutritious feed.

Reshape your milk production

36 January 2010

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 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


MARKET STATISTICSMideast Federal Order #33

(pounds)

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

Mideast Federal Order #33

COMPONENT PRICING INFORMATIONMideast Federal Order #33

NATIONAL TRENDS(million pounds)

This Month Year Ago % Change

Total Class 1 Sales 575,772,484 551,264,969 +4.45

Total Class 2 Sales 258,003,258 220,145,408 +17.20

Total Class 3 Sales 403,821,498 412,661,070 -2.14

Total Class 4 Sales 70,557,557 115,936,379 -39.14

Total Production 1,308,154,797 1,300,007,826 +0.63

Class 1 Utilization 44.0% 42.4%

Current Month

Total Producers 7,178

Average Daily Production per Farm 6,075

Average Protein Test 3.13%

Average Butterfat Test 3.76%

Average Other Solids Test 5.70%

Average SCC Count (MMPA) 194,000

Protein Price/lb. $2.6991

Butterfat Price/lb. $1.4656

Other Solids Price/lb. $0.1524

Class III Price @ 3.5% $ 14.08

Prod. Price Diff/cwt. (Mich. Mkt.) -$0.17

Uniform Price @ 3.5% $ 13.91

SCC Adjustment/cwt./1000 $0.00076 This Year Month Ago

Butter 0.00 0.00Cheese 0.00 0.00Nonfat Dry Milk 0.00 +36.15Total Solids 0.00 +255.65

2009 2008 % Change Production California 3,133 3,312 -5.4

Wisconsin 2,051 1,963 +4.5

Idaho 977 981 -0.4

New York 965 986 -2.1

Pennsylvania 838 827 +1.3

Minnesota 720 712 +1.1

Texas 706 688 +2.6

Michigan 641 628 +2.1

New Mexico 625 635 -1.6

Washington 451 451 0

Ohio 414 404 +2.5

Indiana 274 264 +3.8

* Total U.S. 13,955 14,089 -1.0

* U.S. Y-T-D** 160,648 160,652 0

* For 23 states

** 2008 YTD Total adjusted for leap year

NASS Survey Prices

Monthly Avg.Cheese/lb. 1.5169

Butter/lb. 1.3817

Nonfat Dry Milk/lb. 1.1120

Dry Whey/lb. 0.3471

Market ReportFor Milk Marketed in November 2009

38 January 2010

MMPA FIELD STAFF

NOVI (Headquarters)248-474-6672

800-572-5824General Manager

John Dilland, ext. 200

Member Services/Quality Control Milk Sales/Dispatch Finance/Controller Gary Trimner, ext. 213 Carl Rasch, ext. 244 Joseph M. Diglio, ext. 240 Producer Testing/Herd Health Programs Manufactured Sales/Operations Credit/Insurance Dean Letter, ext. 217 Clayton Galarneau, ext. 229 Cheryl Schmandt, ext. 210 Laboratory Supervisor Member Relations/Public Affairs Data Processing Patti Huttula, ext. 219 Sheila Burkhardt, ext. 208 Gregory Schulkey, ext. 237Human Resources Member Communications Cindy Tilden, ext. 220 Mindy Pratt, ext. 211 Laura Moser

MANUFACTURING PLANTS Constantine Ovid 269-435-2835 989-834-2221 Plant Manager Plant Manager Thomas Carpenter David Wittkop

EAST AREA Supervisor: Michael Marvin Marlette Office .........................989-635-3650

Gary Best ......................................810-664-4984 Lapeer mobile 586-484-9279 Bulk Tank Calibration

Christy Dinsmoore ............................................... Fairgrove mobile 989-528-9102

Richard Fluegge ........................989-872-2858 Cass City mobile 248-709-0283

Michael Marvin ............................989-635-0209 Marlette mobile 989-670-4864

Jody Bugaiski ........................................................... North Street mobile 989-289-8610

SOUTH AREA

Supervisor: Dale Ledebuhr Battle Creek Office .................269-962-5550

Steve Beroza ................................269-623-8178 Delton mobile 269-986-6792

David Brady ..................................517-522-5965 Grass Lake mobile 517-937-9061

Gary Hughes.................................517-568-3655 Homer mobile 269-986-6793

Dale Ledebuhr.......................269-965-2474 Battle Creek mobile 269-986-6791

Ed Zuchnik ....................................269-273-7612 Three Rivers mobile 269-967-7351

Novi: 800-572-5824 (in MI) 800-233-2405 7 a.m. - 4 p.m. Mon-Fri

Ovid: 989-834-2515 6 a.m. - 10 p.m. Daily

Constantine: 800-391-7560 7 a.m. - 10 p.m. Daily

MERCHANDISE—ST. LOUISSupervisor: Joe Mishler ...........989-681-2334 Fax ................................................989-681-3988 Toll Free ......................................877-367-6455 Orders (Novi) ......800-572-5824 then dial 2

MMPA LABS

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

MASTITIS MANAGEMENT

Supervisor: Tom Herremans ..........................231-853-8008 Ravenna .....................mobile 269-967-0890

Tom Stakenas .............. ................................... Ludington mobile 989-289-7310

Gerry Volz ......................................989-848-5996 Fairview mobile 989-289-9219

NORTH AREA

Supervisor: Jack Stickler St. Louis Office .........................989-681-5183

Preston Cole, ...............................231-584-2587 Mancelona mobile 989-289-9301

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

Jack Stickler ..................................989-561-5022 Remus mobile 989-289-9075

Gerry Volz ......................................989-848-5996 Fairview mobile 989-289-9219

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

Tom Stakenas .......................................................... Ludington mobile 989-289-7310

Duane Farmer............................. 517-552-3976 Howell mobile 586-484-9278

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

Jeremy Droscha ...................................................... Lyons mobile 989-289-6617

Lyndsay Stakenas ................................................... Fremont mobile 231-519-2455

MMPA Staff

This Year Month Ago

Butter 0.00 0.00Cheese 0.00 0.00Nonfat Dry Milk 0.00 +36.15Total Solids 0.00 +255.65


michigan milk messenger: january 2010

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