michigan milk messenger: september 2014

Messenger www.mimilk.com VOL. 97 ISSUE 3

SEPTEMBER 2014

Michigan Milk

The official publication of Michigan Milk Producers Association

OYDC Conference • Dairy Days • SQF CertificationInside

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EDITOR’S LETTER

4 MMPA MattersNew Dairy Program Ready to Roll out

6 Quality Watch Abnormal Freeze Points – Is More Really Less?

8 News & Views

FEATURES

10 Five Reasons to Support MMPAC

12 Promising Future of Dairy Evident at Dairy Days 2014

16 Strengthening the Co-op Link in the Food Chain

20 Young Dairy Leaders Converge in Novi - OYDC Conference

22 District OYDCs

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contentsMichigan Milk Messenger

Managing Editor............................. Sheila BurkhardtEditors ............. Laura Moser, Alex SchnabelrauchAdvertising Manager .................Nancy MuszynskiCirculation ................................................................... 2,972An Equal Opportunity Employer – F/M/V/DMichigan Milk Messenger (USPS 345-320) is the official publication of Michigan Milk Producers Association, published monthly since June 1919. Subscriptions: MMPA members, 50¢ per year; non-members, $5 per year.

41310 Bridge St. Telephone: 248-474-6672 P.O. Box 8002 FAX: 248-474-0924Novi, MI 48376-8002 www.mimilk.com Periodical postage paid at Novi, MI and at additional offices.POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Michigan Milk Messenger, PO Box 8002, Novi, MI 48376-8002.

(ISSN 0026-2315)

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24 Proper Nutrient Management

26 Michigan leaders: ‘Lake Erie Must Be Protected’

28 Milk Means More Dairy Promotion at the UP State Fair

30 Dairy Margin Price Protection Program

Cover“A Mother’s Love” original painting by rural artist Bonnie Mohr. Visit Bonnie’s webpage at www.bonniemohr.com to see all of her original art.

Officers: President: Ken NobisVice President: Bob KranTreasurer: Mark Halbert General Manager/Secretary: Joe Diglio Assistant Treasurer: Joe DiglioGeneral Counsel: Todd Hoppe

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

Michigan Milk Producers Association

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

District Directors 1. Hank Choate, Cement City 517-529-9032 2. Tim Hood, Paw Paw 269-657-5771 3. Bob Kran, Free Soil 231-464-5889 4. John Kronemeyer, Pickford 906-647-7638 5. Brent Wilson, Carson City 989-584-3481 6. Tony Jandernoa, Fowler 989-593-2224 7. Eric Frahm, Frankenmuth 989-652-3552 8. Leonard Brown, Sandusky 810-648-4505

Departments32 Merchandise33 Quality Premiums34 Freeliners36 Classifieds37 Policies38 Market Report39 Staff

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It has been a long and winding road from the dairy industry meeting in June 2009 where a new farm bill with a safety net for U.S. dairy producers was first discussed to the end product that is in place today.

We recognized our system of setting a minimum price didn’t really protect equity when the cost of feeding our cows exceeded the minimum price set for milk.

The participants of that first meeting led by the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) understood if we devised a system that protected margins, we would have a program that would address low milk prices, high feed costs or any combination of the two that squeezed margins.

Although the concept was simpler than the actual construction of the program, with the cooperation of dairy producers and the Senate and House Ag Committees we put together a program I think will be far more effective protecting margins than our previous programs. The program isn’t exactly what we wanted, but I think it is close enough we can make it work to protect equity in disastrous circumstances like those we faced in 2009.

So at the end of the road, we do now have a new program titled the Margin Protection Program

(MPP). The next step is to familiarize dairy farmers with the MPP. I don’t think the program is all that complicated, but it is new. There have been and will be opportunities to learn how the program works and what each individual producer should know to utilize MPP most effectively and efficiently.

For starters, make certain you sign up for the MPP. If you miss the sign up period this fall, you will have no price protection in the event of crisis margin levels. For a mere $100 annually you will receive catastrophic protection at the $4 margin level. The margin is defined as the difference between the nationally set “All Milk price” and the cost of feed. My intent isn’t to drill down into the details of the program, but instead to urge each member to take advantage of the many opportunities to learn as much as possible about the MPP.

2014 has been a very good year for dairy producers. A well-deserved good year. But we can’t be lulled into thinking there won’t be times when margins are squeezed to the point of having a severe negative impact on equity positions. Hiccups can always occur even though the long term outlook is positive, and our increasing reliance on exports magnifies the magnitude and frequency of negative margins.

We all know weather impacts can be huge. All indications point to a record corn harvest that could spell market prices for corn at 25 percent of the level just two years

ago. Cheap feed means wider margins for us, but only for a short time. It won’t take long for milk production to increase from a well balanced supply/demand position to an excess of milk, and we all know what that means for prices.

The bottom line is: don’t be lulled into complacency. Increased volatility in a global market place is what caused NMPF to start searching for a better method of protecting producer equity over five years ago. NMPF recognized the changing world of dairy supply and demand and saw the need for an improved safety net that would allow U.S. dairy producers to expand their production to meet the growing need for dairy protein. The U.S. is well positioned to fill a large portion of that increased demand, and now with the MPP in place we can move forward more confidently knowing a wild swing in costs or prices won’t wipe out a huge swath of the U.S. dairy industry.

Protect yourself from extreme margin volatility. We need all of you to fill those boats carrying dairy products to foreign shores around the globe. Watch your mailbox for pertinent information from MMPA, including the exact dates for the window of opportunity to sign up. Get in before the window closes.

byKen NobisPresident

MMPA MATTERS

New Dairy Program Ready to Roll Out

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One of the tests conducted as part of the daily component pay tests is the freeze point determination.

This test, developed by Julius Hortvet in the early 20th Century, is used to determine the temperature at which milk freezes. Normal milk freezes at a temperature of slightly below 32o Fahrenheit (0o Celsius); the slight depression in the freezing point occurs due to the presence of non-fat solids in the milk. When the amount of water in milk increases, so does the freezing point of the milk, bringing it closer to the freezing point of water.

What can cause variations in the freezing point of milk? Contrary to popular belief, physical freezing of the milk in the bulk tank has very little to do with the freezing point of the milk. If ice that is floating in the milk happens to be included in the sample taken by the hauler, it will have an effect on the freezing point. This effect is not due to a physical change in the milk, but rather the inclusion of water from the portion of the milk that has frozen in the milk sample.

There are seasonal variations in freezing points, with freezing points in the summer being closer to that of water. Ration composition has some effect on the freezing point of the milk. It has been my experience that very poor quality forages have a tendency to increase the freezing point somewhat. However, the main culprit causing abnormal freezing

points is the inclusion of additional water in the milk.

How does this affect dairy farms? According to the Michigan Grade A Milk Law of 2001, a food is considered to be adulterated if “a valuable constituent has been in whole or in part omitted or abstracted from the food; a substance has been substituted wholly or in part for the food; damage or inferiority has been concealed in any manner; or a substance has been added to the food or mixed or packed with the food so as to increase its bulk or weight, reduce its quality or strength, or make it appear better or of greater value than it is.”

Therefore, any additional water that is added to the milk, whether intentionally or unintentionally, is considered adulteration and is subject to penalties under the provisions of the law. Not only is the addition of water illegal, it also carries with it other consequences, including dilution of component values and loss of quality, SCC and volume premiums.

The CulpritsPoor drainage of milking equipment following the sanitizing cycle accounts for many cases of abnormal freezing points. Pipelines must be rigidly supported and sloped toward the receiver. Milk transfer and CIP lines must drain via an open-ended pipe or secondary drains and these drains must remain open long enough for complete drainage to occur. Pinch hoses on secondary drains should be replaced every six months to

ensure they open completely to allow drainage. If a receiver drains slowly, due to either a small or improperly-functioning drain valve, a large amount of water can be unintentionally added to the milk in the bulk tank. In the case of multi-pass plate coolers, both the inlet and outlet sides must drain.

Don’t forget the bulk tank. While the drains for most bulk tank washers are normally open when the tank washer is off, these drains can fail. Diaphragms in water-operated drain valves may fail to open due to wear, and foreign objects may lodge in mechanical drain valves causing them to remain closed or drain slowly.

Some washers pump the water from the tank through a normally-closed drain valve. If this valve remains closed, the water will remain in the tank throughout all of the wash cycles, leading to unclean equipment and the potential of undesired water in the milk. Many people are in the habit of closing the bulk tank valve before disconnecting the tank washer. Closing the valve after disconnection of the washer allows these equipment failures to be found before they become a serious issue.

The practice of using water to “push” or “chase” milk left in the receiver and lines at the end of milking into the bulk tank is a practice that can cause considerable variations in the freezing point of milk. Milk and water mix freely when water is used to “chase” the milk; if water

QUALITY WATCH

Abnormal Freeze Points – Is More Really Less?

By Steve LehmanMastitis Management Specialist

continued on page 9

continued on page 9

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NEWS & VIEWS

Record-Breaking Prices ContinueThe U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that July Federal Order Class III price is $21.60 per cwt., up 24 cents from June, and $4.22 above July 2013’s price. The July Class IV price is a record $23.78, up 65 cents from June and $4.88 above a year ago.

MMPA Constantine and Ovid Plants World Dairy Expo Champions Just the fourth year submitting entries to the World Dairy Expo Championship Dairy Product Contest, the MMPA Constantine and Ovid plants were awarded a first, second and third place award.

The Ovid plant received first place in the unsalted butter category as well as second in the open butter class. Constantine placed third in the unsalted butter category.

Congratulations to all of our plant employees and high-quality-milk-producing members on a job well done!

New Nomination Process for MMPA Directors-at-Large; Applications due November 5In accordance with the bylaw changes adopted at the 2014 MMPA State Annual Delegate Meeting, a State Nominating Committee was formed and recently met to develop the nomination process for at-large director positions.

One at-large position to the MMPA board of directors will be filled by a vote of the delegates at the 2015 MMPA State Annual Delegate Meeting. This election will fill the board position currently held by Mark Halbert who is up for reelection in 2015.

Any member interested in being nominated for the at-large position should contact Nancy Muszynski at the Novi office at 248-474-6672, ext. 202 or [email protected] for an application form.

Application forms for director-at-large must be submitted to the Novi office by November 5, 2014. The State Nominating Committee will meet again to review applications and may interview candidates.

As required in the bylaws, the State Nominating Committee will select two, but no more than three, nominees as candidates for the director-at-large position.

Halfmans Attend NMPF/DMI YC Leadership Program Mike and Laura Halfman, 2013 District 6 OYDC, participated in a joint meeting for young dairy farmers hosted by the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) in Rosemont, Ill. on July 30-31. Over 30 young farmers from 17 cooperatives were in attendance.

The two-day meeting featured speakers from the areas of both dairy policy and promotion, with an emphasis on advocacy and the use of social media and other communications skills. The YCs discussed how dairy farmers can help maintain consumer confidence in dairy products and how the dairy checkoff is working to build marketing partnerships across the food chain.

Laura comments, “I thought the training was really valuable and educational. It motivated me to get out, promote dairy in my community and speak up for what we’re doing and our beliefs. Throughout the training we had a chance to network with other young farmers from across the country, and their pages and blogs have helped inspire us to do more.”

Upcoming Events

September 24 MMPA Advisory Committee Meeting – St. Johns

30 - Oct 4 World Dairy Expo – Madison, Wis.

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

MMPA Michigan Dairy WestChester Petzold Roger Weiss*David Barber S & M Dairy Inc. Dennis Hetzner Delong’s Dairy Farm Richard Noake Robert Gleason Alfred/Doris/Duane Stuever Elenbaum Farms Krafft Farms LLC Meadow Murth Farms LLC *Haubenstricker Dairy Farm LLC *

*100 percent

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MMPA Advisory CommitteeDistrict OneCarlton Evans, Litchfield 517-398-0629 Perry Cisco, Hudson 517-547-3231Glenn Preston, Quincy 517-639-4182Art Riske, Hanover 517-524-6015 District TwoDonald Bever, Delton 269-671-5050Michael Oesch, 574-825-2454 Middlebury, INDanny Ransler, Gobles 269-628-4218Richard Thomas, 574-825-5198 Middlebury, IN

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

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

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

District SixAaron Gasper, Lowell 616-897-2747 Jamie Meyer, Ionia 989-587-6732David Reed, Owosso 989-723-8635 Kris Wardin, St Johns 989-640-9420

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

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

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

is entering the system, it will make it into the milk. Not only does this practice adulterate the milk, it can also cause bacteria that may be present in the water to contaminate the milk. The use of filtered air under pressure to blow the milk from the equipment is a legal method that has been used in dairy plants for many years. Air blow equipment may be purchased from and installed by your equipment dealer. The equipment is also available through the MMPA Member Merchandise program, but in most cases will require the cutting and welding of piping for installation.

The addition of air blow equipment is considered a modification of the milking equipment and must be approved by MDARD prior to its installation.

If you have any questions regarding this topic, please contact me at 989-330-1638 or your member representative.

Quality Watch

Continued from page 6

With MMPA’s 100-year anniversary just around the corner, we’re looking for MMPA dairy stories to share in the Messenger and other special publications. And we need your help!

Think about what unique, time-honored stories you have to share… Why did you, your parents or grandparents join MMPA? What does being part of the cooperative mean to you? What programs have you benefited most from? How has the cooperative changed over the years? When have you benefited from MMPA membership firsthand? Please send your story to MMPA Member Relations, P.O. Box 8002, Novi, MI 48376. Or drop us an email at [email protected]. Be sure to include your name and contact information.

Tell Us Your MMPA Story

Prestons Named 2014 MMPA OYDC Brian and Carrie Preston of Quincy, Mich. have been named MMPA’s 2014 Outstanding Young Dairy Cooperators (OYDC). The Prestons were selected by a panel of three industry expert judges after the annual OYDC Conference held August 14 and 15 in Novi. They represent the Hillsdale-Litchfield Local.

As MMPA’s OYDC, they will represent MMPA at several state and national events including the National Milk Producers Federation Annual Meeting in Texas in October. Ken and Kristen Sparks of Cassopolis were named the 2014 OYDC runners-up. They represent the Constantine Local.

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T he 2014 Farm Bill. Right to Farm. The Clean Water Act. Immigration reform. International trade agreements.

Like it or not, dairy farmers’ ability to operate is heavily influenced by the decisions made by our elected officials. But dairy farmers aren’t completely at the mercy of politicians in Lansing and Washington, D.C.

Dairy farmers can speak with one voice, endorsing candidates who back dairy and agriculture and educating legislators on the struggles and opportunities in our industry through support of and contributions to the Michigan Milk Political Action Committee (MMPAC). But why contribute $1 per cow to MMPAC each year as recommended by MMPA State Annual Meeting delegates?

1. Help Lawmakers Understand Your Business Less than 5 percent of the 113th Congress identify themselves as farmers and ranchers.

The need is real as leaders lacking awareness and understanding about our food and how it’s produced are making decisions that affect our farms. We can’t trust the future of our businesses and families to those who have no idea what we do.

Outreach efforts made possible through MMPAC’s support help both state and national legislators meet and better understand farmers and their day-to-day struggles. MMPAC contributions help open doors and build relationships, allowing dairy farmers the opportunity to share their lifestyle with legislators.

2. Support Candidates Who Support You Not bound by party affiliation, MMPAC exclusively backs – monetarily and through endorsements – candidates who are pro-dairy, pro-agriculture supporters. Its goal is to help elect as many friends of dairy as possible, knowing those who understand and support agriculture will be more likely to back farm-related legislation and

avoid bills which would unduly hinder farmers’ way of life.

“Even though we’re a regional dairy co-op, MMPA is well respected nationwide, and that respect carries over to our PAC. MMPAC allows our cooperative, as a whole, to support legislators that deal directly with political issues affecting our everyday lives and sometimes the bottom lines of our businesses,” MMPA member and MMPAC contributor Jeremy Werth says. “MMPAC pools our funds to make financial contributions that benefit those candidates who prioritize the good of the dairy industry and the well being of our dairy farms.”

3. Position MMPA as the Go-To Source for Dairy Information The MMPAC is not just about making campaign contributions and releasing endorsements. The publicity and support provided by MMPAC positions our co-op and our farmers as spokespeople for the industry. When a legislator or his or her staff has questions about a dairy or agriculture issue, we want them to think of MMPAC and contact our cooperative for input.

Our past contributions have built such relationships. However, as the MMPAC grows, so does its potential to influence legislators and gain an audience with congressional leaders. To maintain our reputation of

Five Reasons to Support MMPAC

Senator Debbie Stabenow greets MMPA members at the 2014 MMPA Annual Meeting.

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dairy leadership, we must continue utilizing MMPAC funds to support key leaders at the state and national level.

MMPA member and MMPAC contributor Tim Kubacki attests, “MMPAC helps us get our messages to the legislators serving our members’ communities. The PAC helps give our co-op a voice in the policy development process and ensures we have the chance to speak up. It gives MMPA the opportunity to guide legislators in a direction that’s right for the dairy and agriculture community.”

4. Be Part of the Conversation An unknown author once wrote, “If you don’t have a seat at the table, then you are probably on the menu.” The consequences of not being an active part of the political process can wreak havoc on a business owner’s ability to operate. The dairy industry can’t afford the repercussions of forgoing political involvement.

MMPAC grants dairy farmers a voice in Lansing and Washington, D.C. By contributing to the MMPAC, members ensure legislation is considered through a dairy lens, giving legitimacy and power to our opinions. Ken Nobis, MMPA president and MMPAC chairman, explains, “It’s not a matter of if lawmakers will make decisions impacting Michigan dairy farms. It’s a matter of when and which way they’ll vote. The MMPAC gets us a seat at the table and gives us a chance to educate legislators about modern dairy operations and build lasting relationships. If we don’t tell our story, someone else will.”

5. Get Accessibility to Legislators With a multitude of interests and people tugging at legislators’ time and attention, MMPAC gives dairy farmers a foot in the door. Candidates remember those who have taken the time to contribute to their campaigns, endorse their candidacy and educate them on agricultural issues. This support solidifies relationships, giving MMPA members and staff more accessibility to lawmakers when issues affecting dairy farm interests arise.

Senator and MMPA member Judy Emmons elaborates, “As producers who help keep the MMPAC strong and relevant with your contributions and involvement, you also have opportunities to interact with those of us serving in the Michigan Legislature and our counterparts in Congress. Because of these discussions, urban and suburban legislators and their staffers feel comfortable seeking information from anyone affiliated with MMPA.”

There are far more than five reasons for dairy farmers to be involved in the political process and contribute to MMPAC. But we’ve just scratched the surface of MMPAC’s potential impact.

If every member contributed the recommended $1 per cow, the PAC would have four times the funds to support pro-agriculture and dairy legislators and advocate for the interests of you, your family and business.

MMPAC Challenge

Support the MMPAC and you could be supporting one of your favorite charities!

MMPA will award the MMPA district with the highest percentage of members contributing to the MMPAC a matching gift (up to $1,000) to the district’s choice of one of five selected charity organizations or youth foundations.

The winning district can select from the following organizations:• Michigan 4-H Foundation• Michigan FFA Foundation• Michigan Dairy Memorial and

Scholarship Foundation• United Way• Local charity with approval by

MMPA board of directors

Contributions must be postmarked by November 6, 2014 to qualify for the MMPAC Challenge. The winning district will be announced at Leaders’ Conference on Monday, Nov. 24.

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O ttawa County youth Hayleigh Geurink and Clinton County resident

Allison Schafer were recognized as the highest point-getters in the senior division of this year’s Michigan 4-H and Youth Dairy Days, an annual dairy youth activity held in conjunction with Michigan Dairy Expo. The 18th annual expo took place July 21–25 at the Michigan State University (MSU) Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education in East Lansing.

As the youth-centered portion of the Michigan Dairy Expo, the largest annual dairy event in the state, Michigan 4-H and Youth Dairy Days offers young people interested in the dairy industry opportunities to compete for premiums, ribbons and scholarships in various educational activities, including dairy quiz bowls, dairy management contests, dairy cattle judging competitions and the Dairy Days youth show. This year more than 200 youth members from around the state participated in one or more of the educational competitions, and winners may go on to represent Michigan in national competitions.

Geurink, of Allendale, was awarded the Overall Dairy Youth Dairy Days High Rank Award in the senior division and received a $1,000 cash prize. Schafer, of Westphalia, was named the Reserve Overall Dairy Youth Dairy Days High Rank Award winner in the senior division and received a $750 cash prize.

The Overall Dairy Youth Dairy Days High Rank Award is awarded to the contestant who accumulates the highest total rankings in three of four contest categories: dairy cattle judging (conformation placings and oral reasons), dairy management, quiz bowl and showmanship. The senior division is open to youth ages 15 to 19. A similar contest is held for youth ages 9 to 14 (junior division), and this year’s junior high rank awards went to Chelsea Barnes of Ottawa County and Miriam Cook of Clinton County. Each participant may only win the high rank award

once in the junior division and once in the senior division.

Promising Future of Dairy Evident at Dairy Days 2014

Junior Division Winners: Chelsea Barnes and Miriam Cook.

Senior Division Winners: Hayleigh Geurink and Allison Schafer.

Winners in the individual showmanship competition vie for top showperson of the 4-H Dairy Show.

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Melissa Elischer, Michigan dairy youth educator and director of Youth Dairy Days, said that the weeklong educational event serves as the stage for showcasing some of the industry’s most talented and engaged young people and future dairy industry leaders. She said youth must learn a number of skills and gain knowledge in the weeks and months leading up to the event.

“It requires a lot of commitment on the part of young people to prepare for Dairy Days. These young people spend many hours practicing and preparing for this event,” Elischer said. “Once here, youth then have to budget and prioritize their time to compete in back-to-back contests, often while being responsible for taking care of their show animals in the barn.”

The 2015 Michigan Dairy Expo is scheduled for July 20-24 at MSU.

Contest SpotlightDairy ManagementSenior Division Top 10 Individuals: Suzanna Hull (Hillsdale Co.); Hayleigh Geurink (Ottawa Co.); Maddie Meyer (Clinton Co.); Charlie McAlvey (Clinton Co.); Allison Schafer (Clinton Co.); Seth Hulst (Ottawa Co.); Samantha Boettcher-Kellogg (Allegan Co.); Forrest Nash (Clinton Co.); Shelby Berens (Allegan Co.) and Joshua Markel (Clinton Co.).

Junior Division Top 10 Individuals: Miriam Cook (Clinton Co.); Miles Wixom (Allegan Co.); Jessica Nash (Clinton Co.); Leslie McAlvey (Clinton Co.); Chelsea Barnes (Ottawa Co.); Katrina Tucker (Allegan Co.); Jake Nugent (Kent Co.); Kyle Schafer (Clinton Co.); Jacob Armstrong (Branch Co.) and Thomas Hull (Hillsdale Co.).

Novice Division Top 10 Individuals: Adalee Thelen (Clinton Co.); Hayley Wineland (Branch Co.); Irene Nielsen (Ingham Co.); Sydni Reeder

(Shiawassee Co.); Caleb Tucker (Allegan Co.); William Link (Kent Co.); Kaila Barnes (Ottawa Co.); Blaine Pish (Branch Co.); Keagan Long (Ingham Co.) and Addy Battle (Tuscola Co.).

Quiz BowlSenior Division Winning TeamsFirst Place: Allegan County (Shelby Berens, Samantha Boettcher-Kellogg, Isaac Elzinga and Melissa Skapnit) Second Place: Clinton County-Team A (Cameron Cook, Joshua Markel, Allison Schafer and Forrest Nash), Third Place: Ottawa County and Saginaw County (Bryce Frahm, Rebecca Hulst, Seth Hulst and Tayla Modderman).

Junior Division Winning TeamsFirst Place: Allegan County-Team A (McKenna Davies, Shannon Good, Katrina Tucker and Miles Wixom), Second Place: Clinton County-Team A (Miriam Cook, Amanda Hicks, Cheyenne Jakus and Kyle Schafer), Third Place: Hillsdale County (Lucas Crabtree, Kathryn Hull, Thomas Hull and Matthew Poling).

Novice Division Winning TeamsFirst Place: Shiawassee County (Faith Butcher, Benjamin Crevier, Nathan Jacobs and Sydni Reeder), Second Place: Clinton County (Adalee Thelen, Mackenna Geeseman, Kole Jakus and Josie Nash), Third Place: Ottawa County and Washtenaw County (Kaila Barnes, Brandon Dreyer, Jake Bunn and Jared Bunn).

Dairy JudgingSenior Division Top 10 Individuals: Hayleigh Geurink (Ottawa Co.); Lucas Moser (Ingham Co.); Kayla Holsten (Washtenaw Co.); Joshua Markel (Clinton Co.); Zeke Breuninger (Washtenaw Co.); Stephanie Rasmussen (Shiawassee Co.); Kayle Jakus (Clinton Co.); Allison Schafer (Clinton Co.); Shelby Berens (Allegan Co.) and Rachel Ekkel (Newaygo Co.).

Junior Division Top 10 Individuals: Kristen Burkhardt (Livingston Co.); Chelsea Barnes (Ottawa Co.); Brittany Dreyer (Ottawa Co.); Jessica Nash

(Clinton Co.); Miriam Cook (Clinton Co.); Ian Black (Clinton Co.); Dakota Dershem (Clinton Co.); Evelyn Fuhrman (Shiawassee Co.); Timothy Hirsch (Kent Co.) and Katie Wilson (Isabella Co.).

Novice Division Top 10 Individuals: Keagan Long (Ingham Co.); Irene Nielsen (Ingham Co.); Kole Jakus (Clinton Co.); Chloe Spears (Ingham Co.); Hayley Wineland (Branch Co.); Adalee Thelen (Clinton Co.); Kenny Cavanaugh (Shiawassee Co.); Clarissa Hirsch (Kent Co.); Jared Bunn (Washtenaw Co.) and Teagan Howell (Hillsdale Co.).

ShowmanshipSupreme Champion Showman: Hayleigh Geurink (Ottawa Co.)

Winners of the individual classes, divided by age, were:Division 1: Blaine Pish (Branch Co.) Division 2: Stoney Buell (Monroe Co.) Division 3: Paige Remenar (Clinton Co.) Division 4: Shannon Good (Kent Co.) Division 5: Ian Black (Clinton Co.) Division 6: Jessica Nash (Clinton Co.) Division 7: Thomas Hull (Hillsdale Co.) Division 8: Morgan Luoma (Calhoun Co.) Division 9: Lance Frahm (Saginaw Co.) Division 10: Janea Petter (Barry Co.) Division 11: Makayla Agustini (Barry Co.) Division 12: Hayleigh Geurink (Ottawa Co.)

Overall Dairy Days High Rank AwardsSenior DivisionWinner: Hayleigh Geurink (Ottawa Co.)Reserve: Allison Schafer (Clinton Co.)

Junior DivisionWinner: Chelsea Barnes (Ottawa Co.)Reserve: Miriam Cook (Clinton Co.)

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Funded by the Beef Checkoff.

DID YOU KNOWEVERY DOLLAR INVESTED RETURNS $11.20?

Dr. Ha rry K a i s e r

Ted Gre ida n u s

Beef Checkoff Sponsors Michigan Dietetics Conference Speaker

Acting on the checkoff’s missions to strengthen the image of the beef community and to enhance consumer knowledge of the nutritional benefits of beef, the Michigan Beef Industry Commission sponsored a speaker at the Michigan Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics conference. Registered Dietitian Mary Lee Chin, MS, RD, presented to a group of approximately 300 dietitians and nutrition influencers on a topic she calls The Sustainable American Dinner Plate.

Drawing on her knowledge from participating in several beef industry tours and on-farm work days, Mary Lee compared and contrasted the benefits of different food production systems. Her presentation provided new insight on the impact of sustainability and food sourcing trends that affect consumer food purchases. She emphasized how in the future, an expanding world population will require farmers and ranchers to produce exponentially more food on fewer acres.

Each participant received a packet of beef nutritional information including the checkoff’s Lean Matters booklet, which chronicles how beef has become substantially leaner over the last four decades.

MBIC Welcomes Hulings and TeVelde

Cynthia Hulings is the new director of promotions and consumer marketing for the Michigan Beef Industry Commission. Cynthia is a graduate of Michigan State University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in animal

science. She grew up on a small farm near Lakeview, Michigan, where she gained experience raising and showing beef cattle and other livestock through 4-H. In addition, Cynthia was actively involved with the MSU Block and Bridle Club during her college career. Cynthia’s professional experience includes commodity promotion for the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, record keeping for the Michigan Gaming Control Board, and serving as a parenting aide for the Department of Human Services. Cynthia looks forward to new challenges as she begins her role with the Michigan Beef Industry Commission.

Shawna TeVelde is the new administrative assistant for the Michigan Beef Industry Commission. She grew up on a small farm in Nashville, Michigan, and earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Davenport University. Shawna brings

previous work experience from both the retail and the foodservice industry to MBIC. In her role as administrative assistant, Shawna will maintain all financial records and collections for the Commission. In addition, Shawna recently completed the checkoff’s Masters of Beef Advocacy program and she looks forward to increasing her familiarity with the beef industry.

In the most comprehensive study about the Return on Investment (ROI) of the beef checkoff, Dr. Harry Kaiser of Cornell University concludes that each dollar invested in the Beef Checkoff Program between 2006 and 2013 returned about $11.20 to the beef industry.

“The news for beef checkoff investors couldn’t be better,” said Kaiser, who has performed similar analyses for other checkoff programs. “It is clear to me that activities funded through the checkoff have a substantial impact on beef demand, and the return on producers’ and importers’ investments into this program is vastly greater than the cost of the program.”

“This really tells us that we’re on the right track with how we plan our checkoff programs,” said cattleman Ted Greidanus of California, who chairs the checkoff’s Evaluation Committee that commissioned the ROI study. “We are accountable to beef producers and importers who fund the work we do with checkoff dollars, and I must say that I am quite pleased at how good the news really is.

“As chairman of the Evaluation Committee, I know that Dr. Kaiser’s research methods are well-respected, so we are very confident about the analysis and very pleased with the results,” Greidanus said. “And, as a cattleman who pays into the program, it’s invigorating to know that my investment is making a difference.”

“If I were investing my hard-earned dollars into the checkoff, as beef producers and importers are, I would be proud to do so, based on the findings of this study,” Kaiser said. “Most of us probably wish we could get that kind of return on all of our expenditures!”

Mary Lee Chin, MS, RD, (second from left) visits with dietitians attending the Michigan Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics conference.

Get to know your checkoff.

Visit www.MIBEEF.org or call 517-347-0911

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Funded by the Beef Checkoff.

DID YOU KNOWEVERY DOLLAR INVESTED RETURNS $11.20?

Dr. Ha rry K a i s e r

Ted Gre ida n u s

Beef Checkoff Sponsors Michigan Dietetics Conference Speaker

Acting on the checkoff’s missions to strengthen the image of the beef community and to enhance consumer knowledge of the nutritional benefits of beef, the Michigan Beef Industry Commission sponsored a speaker at the Michigan Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics conference. Registered Dietitian Mary Lee Chin, MS, RD, presented to a group of approximately 300 dietitians and nutrition influencers on a topic she calls The Sustainable American Dinner Plate.

Drawing on her knowledge from participating in several beef industry tours and on-farm work days, Mary Lee compared and contrasted the benefits of different food production systems. Her presentation provided new insight on the impact of sustainability and food sourcing trends that affect consumer food purchases. She emphasized how in the future, an expanding world population will require farmers and ranchers to produce exponentially more food on fewer acres.

Each participant received a packet of beef nutritional information including the checkoff’s Lean Matters booklet, which chronicles how beef has become substantially leaner over the last four decades.

MBIC Welcomes Hulings and TeVelde

Cynthia Hulings is the new director of promotions and consumer marketing for the Michigan Beef Industry Commission. Cynthia is a graduate of Michigan State University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in animal

science. She grew up on a small farm near Lakeview, Michigan, where she gained experience raising and showing beef cattle and other livestock through 4-H. In addition, Cynthia was actively involved with the MSU Block and Bridle Club during her college career. Cynthia’s professional experience includes commodity promotion for the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, record keeping for the Michigan Gaming Control Board, and serving as a parenting aide for the Department of Human Services. Cynthia looks forward to new challenges as she begins her role with the Michigan Beef Industry Commission.

Shawna TeVelde is the new administrative assistant for the Michigan Beef Industry Commission. She grew up on a small farm in Nashville, Michigan, and earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Davenport University. Shawna brings

previous work experience from both the retail and the foodservice industry to MBIC. In her role as administrative assistant, Shawna will maintain all financial records and collections for the Commission. In addition, Shawna recently completed the checkoff’s Masters of Beef Advocacy program and she looks forward to increasing her familiarity with the beef industry.

In the most comprehensive study about the Return on Investment (ROI) of the beef checkoff, Dr. Harry Kaiser of Cornell University concludes that each dollar invested in the Beef Checkoff Program between 2006 and 2013 returned about $11.20 to the beef industry.

“The news for beef checkoff investors couldn’t be better,” said Kaiser, who has performed similar analyses for other checkoff programs. “It is clear to me that activities funded through the checkoff have a substantial impact on beef demand, and the return on producers’ and importers’ investments into this program is vastly greater than the cost of the program.”

“This really tells us that we’re on the right track with how we plan our checkoff programs,” said cattleman Ted Greidanus of California, who chairs the checkoff’s Evaluation Committee that commissioned the ROI study. “We are accountable to beef producers and importers who fund the work we do with checkoff dollars, and I must say that I am quite pleased at how good the news really is.

“As chairman of the Evaluation Committee, I know that Dr. Kaiser’s research methods are well-respected, so we are very confident about the analysis and very pleased with the results,” Greidanus said. “And, as a cattleman who pays into the program, it’s invigorating to know that my investment is making a difference.”

“If I were investing my hard-earned dollars into the checkoff, as beef producers and importers are, I would be proud to do so, based on the findings of this study,” Kaiser said. “Most of us probably wish we could get that kind of return on all of our expenditures!”

Mary Lee Chin, MS, RD, (second from left) visits with dietitians attending the Michigan Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics conference.

Get to know your checkoff.

Visit www.MIBEEF.org or call 517-347-0911

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T o today’s consumers, macaroni and cheese is far more than a blue box plastered with the smiling faces adorable kids.

They’re interested in processes used at the plant manufacturing milk into the product’s whey. They’re concerned about sanitation of the trucks hauling milk from farms to the plant. And they’re worried about care and management on the farms producing the milk.

Consumers are interested in all links of the food chain, putting pressure on retailers and brands to prove the safety of their products.

As a result, MMPA has stepped up to do its part in ensuring the safety of the dairy ingredient link, fulfilling the demand of our customers and their consumers.

In July, MMPA’s Constantine and Ovid plants achieved Level 2 Safe Quality Food (SQF) Certification with “Excellent” ratings – the highest rating possible. While MMPA plants have always produced high quality products using food safety protocols, SQF is a widely-recognized certification, trusted and accepted by domestic and international buyers.

“Our customers are requiring SQF because they recognize the certification as an effective way to verify the high standards of food safety used to produce their products to an interested consumer base,” Jim Dodson, MMPA director of manufactured product sales, says. “By achieving this certification, we can continue to be on our customers’ preferred suppliers list. It keeps us up-to-date with the next step in food safety regulation and helps articulate our high standards in the language our customers are speaking.”

Streamlining Food Safety In 2000, as consumer confidence bottomed out due to a number of food safety crises, 66 global food retailers launched the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) and developed regulations, based on scientific food safety principles, for the entire food chain. To ensure widespread compliance with these generally accepted practices and regulations, GFSI developed

benchmarking processes to audit each food category, including SQF. The continuing goal of SQF is to help processors assess risk in food processing facilities while limiting food safety incidents and recalls.

When Wal-mart adopted SQF in 2008, it became the gold standard for food processing certification and a unifying force in the food industry. Instead of relying on a different audit or certification for every supplier or customer, SQF was a way for the entire industry to regulate consistent food safety standards and streamline plant inspections.

By 2012, MMPA customers began setting deadlines compelling the cooperative to achieve SQF certification.

The ROI of SQF “Initially, we had to pursue SQF certification to fulfill the needs of our customers,” Amandeep Dhillion, MMPA director of quality who joined the MMPA team to lead the SQF effort, says. “We made an investment to implement the changes dictated by SQF, but in the process have found ways to save money by achieving efficiencies and unearthing synergies.”

Prior to SQF, MMPA catered to 40 separate customer audits. With Level 2 SQF certification, some audits will disappear. In addition, a growing number of countries, including China, recognize SQF-certified products and will, consequently, expedite acceptance of MMPA dairy ingredients. Already, the co-op has received approval from FDA to export products to Chile and China without undergoing an additional audit.

Throughout SQF certification, processes were streamlined and traffic patterns were reorganized to improve efficiencies throughout the plants’ day-to-day operations. Because MMPA’s SQF certification offers an advantage to customers, the co-op’s products may now carry a slightly higher price point. The certification also serves as a type of insurance protecting MMPA products from customer quality pushback.

Strengthening the Co-op Link in the Food Chain Constantine and Ovid Plants Receive Level 2 SQF Certification

By Alex Schnabelrauch

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“SQF was a big jump for us. We retrained employees and made some changes in our processes and procedures to be in compliance. It was a culture change, but one that opens a lot of doors for MMPA and our members,” Amandeep says.

Renovations, Updates and Training As plant employees can attest, implementing SQF’s rigorous food safety management system took equally rigorous commitment and diligence.

First, processes for every production phase, from preparation to cleanup, had to be evaluated, documented and cross referenced with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs.) On the occasion of a discrepancy between a current process and GMP, a new process was drafted and employees were retrained to make the change on the production floor.

In total, 759 operating documents were drafted, ranging from two to 48 pages a piece.

From there, five Hazardous Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) Programs for each plant were formulated, identifying and describing prevention protocols for possible contaminants at each stage of every product’s life cycle.

After completion of the documents, employees were retrained and tested on the SOPs and HACCP Programs before Ann Arbor-based, accredited SQF certifier NSF International arrived for Level 1 SQF certification. During the Level 1 audit, plant SQF leads answered 79 randomly-selected questions about their written plans and documents.

Level 2 certification consisted of 279 randomly-selected questions asked of both the SQF leads and plant employees to check for widespread understanding and execution of the plans. (A more detailed description of the steps MMPA followed to become SQF Certified can be found on the next page.)

Looking ahead, each plant will be SQF audited annually to maintain certification. Sustaining high expectations, all new hires and contractors will need to pass food safety training before being allowed on the processing floor.

Next year, the cooperative has set its sight on becoming Level 3 SQF certified to prepare for any additional certification

requirements from customers. This next level adds another dimension of quality, requiring extensive documentation on machine performance levels coupled with another in-person audit.

A Team Effort At the beginning, SQF certification appeared to be a feat comparable to scaling Mt. Everest. But, with two dedicated plant workforces accustomed to innovation and high expectations, MMPA was able to achieve Level 2 certification in an impressive, ambitious 12 months.

“The entire effort to achieve SQF certification in an accelerated time frame required each and every MMPA employee’s participation and support. Every employee knows achieving SQF certification is a critical piece in securing future plant business and sales,” Gasper Calandrino, Ovid plant engineer, explains. “With that common goal in mind, each employee gave a 110 percent to make it happen.”

A true team accomplishment, the list of contributors to the certification is extensive and far exceeds those mentioned. However, credit is due to the leaders of this project:

Plant managers, Dave Davis and Colt Johnson, offered complete support of the initiative, making it a top priority and relaying high expectations to their employees.

MMPA plant supervisors joined the board of directors in Novi for a luncheon in August celebrating SQF certification. Pictured (left to right) front: Rebecca Wolfe, Amandeep Dhillon, Karen Elmore, Ed Lloyd, Sandy Barnhardt and John Jacobs, middle: Dave Davis, Adam Flattery, Ryon Shaw, Michele Bates, Josh Tuma, Zac Steele, Jesse Mahoney and Marc Hopkins, back: Colt Johnson, Ron Steinhorst, Dave Hurst, Steve Arnett, Jason Casler, Duane Blessing, Gasper Calandrino and Tom Brandebury. Not pictured: Stan Clark, Tad Kline, Cash Molski, Matt Nethaway, Rick Rider, Jennifer Slack, Mark Thornton, Brent Weller and Greg Young.

Continued on page 18

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Two employees at each plant completed training to become SQF practitioners – Jesse Mahoney and Duane Blessing in Constantine and Ron Steinhorst and Rebecca Wolfe in Ovid – and led the SQF charge.

Ovid Plant Engineer Gasper Calandrino, in the midst of other plant construction projects, dedicated significant time and assistance to set up chemical control systems to comply with regulations.

Larger SQF teams at each plant helped design updated traffic patterns, execute individualized training, integrate SOPs and HACCP Programs into the plant system and verify documentation.

All plant employees at both locations worked to prepare for the exam, adjust protocols and processes as needed and study answers to potential questions asked during the Level 2 audit.

“Achieving SQF certification was a team effort. It took cooperation and dedication from everyone within the system to achieve this milestone and secure our ability to service our customers. I thank every person who helped make this a reality,” Joe Diglio, MMPA general manager, says. “SQF certification gives MMPA the ability to compete effectively in the global dairy marketplace which enables us to return added value to our member-owners.”

The MMPA SQF Certification Process 1. Preparation of Core Documents – Before MMPA could begin the SQF certification process a multitude of core procedural documents had to be updated and prepared. This step required substantial time and effort to document the plant’s 759 SOPs.

2. HACCP Programs – To become certified, the co-op needed Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) Programs for each product. At each step of a product’s process, a hazard analysis was conducted to determine potential biological, chemical and physical contaminants. An explanation of control methods and protocols was then developed for each possible contaminant. In total, five HACCP Programs were developed for each plant.

3. Employee Training – Through one-on-one and classroom style trainings, all plant employees were retrained according to SQF principles and protocols explained in the HACCP Programs and core documents.

4. Review and Retraining – With the complexity and number of protocols and new processes to learn, time was taken to review and retrain employees on all information covered during the initial training phase.

5. Exam – To check for understanding, every employee was required to take a 10-question exam to check their understanding of the plant’s HACCP Programs and core documents.

6. Level 1 Certification Audit – Once all employees understood the updated processes and protocols, MMPA proceeded with the actual certification. An auditor from NSF International visited each plant, asking each location’s SQF team lead 79 randomly-selected questions relating to the plant’s core documents and SOPs. Originally scheduled to take three and two days at Ovid and Constantine, respectively, the audit took just nine hours and two hours at the two locations.

7. Training (again) – After Level 1 certification, all employees took a second exam to refresh their knowledge, and individualized training was offered one-on-one to those working at critical control points (metal detector, receiving, etc.)

8. Level 2 Certification – The SQF auditor visited each plant again, asking 279 randomly-selected questions. These questions were directed at not only the SQF leads, but also hourly plant employees to check for widespread understanding and implementation of the documented SOPs and HACCP Programs. Interviews with individual employees verified the accuracy of the trainings and documentation.

Continued from page 17

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Eighteen young dairy cooperators, representing nine districts, gathered in Novi

on August 14 and 15 for the 2014 MMPA Outstanding Young Dairy Cooperators (OYDC) Conference, participating in two days of tours, cooperative update presentations and interviews.

From a lab tour to one-on-one meetings with MMPA’s president and general manager, district OYDCs had

a chance to meet and interact with their cooperative’s employees while gaining a better understanding of the day-to-day operations of MMPA.

“We would recommend the OYDC Conference to anyone,” District 10 OYDCs Scott and Heidi Kleinhardt say. “We learned so much, and meeting all the employees in all the different departments it takes to market our milk really puts things in perspective. The lab and office

tour really helped give us a better understanding of what goes into our quality results and milk checks.”

The group covered topics spanning from member services to milk pricing, the farm bill to expansion plans, getting a chance to ask questions along the way.

“Even though we’ve attended the conference in the past, we had a great experience and learned a

Young Dairy Leaders Converge in Novi

MMPA OYDC Conference participants include: front (left to right) Andrea Fedewa, Kris Baker, Grace Adamic, Jordan Noll (host), Carrie Preston, Danielle Berens, Meagan Bischer, Kristen Sparks, Jamie Dodde and Heidi Kleinhardt and back (left to right) Patrick Fedewa, Bob Baker, Steven Adamic, Mike Noll (host), Brian Preston, Steve Berens, Wayne Messing, Ken Sparks, Dries Dodde and Scott Kleinhardt.

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little more about MMPA. Beyond the presentations and updates, we always enjoy meeting other farmers going through the same things we are and sharing our ideas,” District 11 OYDC Steve and Danielle Berens explain.

Over a thousand past and present MMPA members have participated in the OYDC program to date, solidifying the importance and value of the program. For some members, the OYDC Conference is their first opportunity to learn about the inner workings of the co-op and how member pay prices are determined. Many past participants have gone on to become MMPA leaders, serving

on the Advisory or Resolutions committees, board of directors or local or district boards.

The 2013 OYDC Mike and Jordan Noll of Croswell hosted the two-day conference, putting the district OYDCs at ease with their laidback and genuine personalities. Three judges – MMPA Vice President Bob Kran, former MMPA member and Dairy Communicator Leona Daniels and Michigan State University Assistant Professor Dr. Adam Lock – joined the OYDCs throughout the process.

After considering the applications, interviews and tours of the top three

finalists’ farms, the judges selected Brian and Carrie Preston from Quincy as the 2014 MMPA OYDCs and Ken and Kristen Sparks from Cassopolis as the OYDC runners-up. Watch for feature stories on the Prestons and Sparks in the October Messenger. All of the 2014 District OYDCs will also be featured in upcoming issues.

The MMPA Outstanding Young Dairy Cooperator (OYDC) Program has been one of the co-op’s mainstays, developing young dairy leaders since 1950. For more information on the program, please contact your district board member or the Member Relations Department at 248-474-6672.

District 4 OYDCs Bob and Kris Baker introduce themselves to the group.

2013 OYDC Mike and Jordan Noll welcome OYDCs to the conference.

The judges for this year were: MMPA Vice President Bob Kran, long-time Dairy Communicator Leona Daniels and MSU Assistant Professor Adam Lock.

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MMPA Lab Supervisor Patti Huttula explains the strict testing protocols and equipment used to test member milk samples during the OYDCs’ lab tour.

MMPA General Manager Joe Diglio meets with OYDCs, giving an overview of MMPA operations.

Scott Kleinhardt answers a question about the dairy industry.

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C apturing all the nutrient value contained in land-applied manure into the soil, and keeping it there,

is important when relying on those nutrients to fertilize growing crops. Capturing and keeping the nutrients in the soil also prevents nutrient run-off, a serious concern when protecting our waterways. The importance of proper manure application and keeping the nutrients in the soil came to light this past summer as Lake Erie experienced an aglae bloom that eventually compromised Toledo’s water supply. While it is generally understood there are several factors contributing to this environmental occurrence, farmers can and should do their part to prevent nutrients escaping from the soil. Proper manure application takes into account many factors, and like much of farming, many of those factors are outside a farmer’s control. Issues like the weather, soil composition and crops grown all play into proper management practices. The challenge for livestock producers is applying manure in a way that is labor efficient, cost effective and environmentally responsible. In Michigan, producers have a practical set of resources available through the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) to help them design and implement proper manure management plans. Reading and adopting the Generally Accepted Agricultural Management Practices (GAAMPs) for Manure Management and Utilization can form the foundation or site-specific manure land application plans. According to Michigan State University Extension bulletin “Keeping Land-applied manure in the root Zone,” The single most important tool in preventing manure nutrient and contaminant loss to the environment is your knowledge of your fields. Farmers know which of their fields are erosive and prone to rapid runoff during spring snowmelt. Manure will be lost in runoff water, so soil conservation practices

such as managed crop residue, grassed waterways and buffer strips that stabilize soil will also hold land-applied manure in place.

Best Management PracticesThere are several best management practices (BMP) livestock producers can utilize when spreading manure. And, according to MSUE Livestock Environmental Educator Shelby Bollwahn, combinations of BMPs used to control run-off are in most cases more effective than individual practices She recommends 10 practices livestock producers can utilize when spreading manure. They include a manure utilization plan (nutrient management plan), manure testing, equipment calibration, soil testing, buffers/field borders, winter cover/cover crops, manure injection/incorporation, recordkeeping, site inspection and having an emergency action plan.

• Nutrient management plans help to protect water quality by preventing over application of manure.

• Manure testing tells producers its nutrient content, which lets them apply the right amount according to their Nutrient Management Plan.

• Equipment calibration ensures the application rate is not being exceeded and manure is being uniformly applied across a field.

• Soil testing helps water quality because producers are less likely to over apply manure.

• Buffers/field borders filter sediment and prevent

Proper Nutrient Management Key to Maximizing Benefits

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nutrients from entering surface waters.• Winter cover/cover crops trap nutrients and stop

erosion because they keep the soil covered.• Manure injection/incorporation is not as

susceptible to surface run-off because it places manure directly into the soil.

• Recordkeeping, livestock producers will be less likely to over apply manure when they see it does not improve yields and may harm the environment.

• Site/field inspection helps producers highlight field conditions on their farms before applying manure.

• Emergency action plans give the producer the time to think about and plan ways to handle emergency manure run-offs in the field.

“There are so many tools available to livestock producers to help them manage manure and get the most impact from nutrients. From agencies to advisors to web-based tools and even smartphone apps. The possibilities are endless Bollwahn says . “Michigan State University Extension Resources are available ranging from field crops, livestock production, manure management or nutrient management. Conservation districts and Michigan Agricultural Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) technicians are another great resource available to livestock producers looking for more information on identifying environmental risks on their farms.”

The USDA NRCS is another resource, she adds, especially for those producers who may be looking for cost-share for projects such as Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans or Vegetated Filter Strips. And there are some useful tools available online or even as a smartphone app. A web-based tool called Nutrient Management Tracker allows producers to inventory their fields, identify sensitive areas and setbacks, include soil and manure tests all using GoogleMaps within the program.

“Nutrient management makes sense for farmers as well as the environment. Keeping soil and fertilizers - both commercial and manure - in place compliment the historical stewardship practices already in place on Michigan dairies,” says Jan Wilford, MAEAP program manager. “MAEAP is designed to help producers use their nutrients in the most effective and efficient way possible. We encourage all producers to work with their local conservation district technician to see if participation in the MAEAP program can benefit their farming operation.”

The annual Outstanding Young Dairy Cooperator Reunion was held this summer at the home of the 2009 OYDCs Jeremy and Summer Werth in Alpena. Each summer the past OYDCs gather for a picnic and the chance to visit with friends.

Attendees at this year’s picnic included: front (left to right) Lisa Diglio, Vivian Lott, Diane Horning, Gloria Crandall, Karen Cnossen, Carolynne Wegmeyer, Summer Werth, Amara Werth, Jeremy Werth, Kiera Werth, Liz Nobis, Patti Jandernoa, Doreen Slavik, Teresa Crook and Jody Sharrard and back (left to right) Joe Diglio, Marvin Lott, Earl Horning, Larry Crandall, Harold Cnossen, Fred Wegmeyer, Barb and John Dilland, Ken Nobis, Tony Jandernoa, Jim Slavik, Eric Frahm and Jeremy Sharrard.

2014 OYDC Picnic

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S tate department leaders held a news roundtable in August to review the algae bloom in western Lake Erie that tainted drinking water for Ohio

and Southeast Michigan residents.

The danger was caused by harmful algal blooms in Lake Erie. Blue-green algae are a type of naturally occurring, photosynthetic bacteria. When the organism dies, it releases a toxin called microcystin. The blooms are fueled by phosphorus levels in the water, which come from some key sources on land.

Leaders from the Michigan departments of environmental quality and Agriculture (MDEQ) and rural development (MDARD) stressed that Michigan has taken major steps to address the factors it can control.

“Governor Snyder has charged Michigan government agencies with taking a hard look at what has been done to address the problem and what more we need to do,” said DEQ Director Dan Wyant. “The fact is, the algal blooms in Western Lake Erie are the product of several key factors - municipal sewer discharges, farm and other surface runoff, invasive species like zebra and quagga mussels and weather.

“We can’t control the weather, but we are determined to do all we can with the pieces we can address.”

MDARD Director Jamie Clover Adams discussed steps taken in recent years that have reduced phosphorus inputs. Programs like the Michigan Agriculture and Environmental Assurance Program have removed nearly 62,000 pounds of phosphorus from the western Lake Erie basin watersheds by encouraging farmers to use best practices. The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program has helped create buffers between agriculture operations and surface water.

“For more than 15 years, Michigan has been a leader in the efforts to improve water quality in the western Lake Erie basin. The state’s agribusinesses helped and are implementing innovative approaches for fertilizer best practices through the 4R system – the right source, the right rate, at the right time, at the right place,” Clover Adams said. “We’re committed to work aggressively to expand technical assistance in the basin through conservation districts and other groups to help farmers implement conservation practices. We will continue to work with other state and federal partners to complete the full nutrient reduction proposal under the Farm Bill Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP).”

DEQ announced a five-point plant to bolster Michigan’s phosphorus reduction efforts. The plan includes:Optimize phosphorus removal at five key wastewater treatment plants in the watershed.

• Optimization means fine-tuning plant operations to minimize phosphorus in the treated effluent.

• Reduce agricultural and non-point source discharges to the Maumee River watershed.

• Cease the open water disposal of dredged Toledo Harbor sediments.

• Implement the Phosphorus Control Activities Checklist to best degree achievable.

• Develop science-based understanding of the role of invasive mussels in the basin ecology and how they impact cycling of phosphorus.

• Support the evaluation of emerging technologies to control invasive mussels.

MDARD also announced long-term plans to focus on agriculture’s role in protecting the basin, including:

• Seek the elimination of the sunset on state MAEAP/groundwater funding.

• Work with Michigan agribusiness to build a close linkage between MAEAP and the 4R Nutrient Stewardship Program to enhance agriculture’s capacity to reduce nutrient loss to our waterways.

• Continue to aggressively seek out opportunities to expand technical assistance in the WLEB through conservation districts and other organizations to assist farmers in implementing conservation practices.

• Continue work with Ohio and Indiana to complete the full nutrient reduction proposal under the Farm Bill Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) to bring additional funding resources in the WLEB to reduce nutrient loss.

• Continue our science-based approach to the application of manure on snow covered or frozen ground, limiting application to only those locations with a low to very low MARI index rating only when necessary and on no slopes greater than 3 percent for liquid manure nor 6 percent for solid manure.

Michigan Leaders: ‘Lake Erie Must Be Protected’

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W hen the UP State Fair officially kicked off August 10, dairy exhibitors were there and so was United Dairy Industry of Michigan

(UDIM) to help increase dairy awareness and promote the benefits of dairy products.

To showcase the dietary importance of dairy, UDIM sponsored nationally-recognized cheese carver Sarah “The Cheese Lady” Kauffman to fashion a 48- by 28-inch sculpture of active youth enjoying dairy products. The Milk Means More cheese sculpture also featured a cow and a dairy farmer, representative of the animals and farm families from which dairy goodness stems.

Carving of the colorfully imposing 640-pound block of mild cheddar and additional 40-pound block of Monterey jack cheese for detailing, took place inside of a large, refrigerated booth with window visibility on two sides for observation of Kauffman’s progress. Milk Means More banners and Michigan dairy facts were displayed around the booth’s exterior.

Kauffman, an award-winning artist and Guinness Book of World Records holder for largest cheese sculpture, took periodic breaks from work on the sculpture to share with spectators her love of dairy and cheese samples shaved during the carving process.

The cheese carving exhibition was housed inside the Miracle of Life Building, which featured open displays of live births of multiple species of farm animals, including calves, piglets, lambs and chicks. Local veterinarians and MSU veterinary students were on hand to assist as needed and to narrate the birthing processes and progress.

“You can’t get much more down to earth with dairy than when a cow from Brock Farms in Daggett was receiving assistance with calving, while dozens of people sat in the bleachers surrounding the pen, watching with wonder,” said UDIM Industry Relations Specialist Kristy Smith. “It sparked all kinds of conversation about the quality care Michigan dairy farmers give their animals.”

In addition to witnessing the miracle of birth and tasting delicious dairy samples from The Cheese

Lady, visitors to the Miracle of Life Building at the UP State Fair received dairy fact sheets, recipes and other promotional items attesting dairy’s goodness.

Dairy education has been a long-standing tradition at the UP State Fair, which began in 1927 in Delta County for the purpose of encouraging improved methods in agriculture and industrial pursuits. UDIM is a proud partner in that ongoing endeavor.

Milk Means More Dairy Promotion at the UP State Fair

Sarah “The Cheese Lady” Kauffman transformed a 640-block of mild cheddar cheese into a tribute to the dairy industry.

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

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

The Dairy Margin Protection Program:Information and Opportunities

What is the DMPP? And How Will it Work?Dairy Decision Tool Software Demonstration

Potential Impacts on Farm Profitability

The 2014 Farm Bill initiated a new dairy program that is expected to assist in risk management when the MILC and price support programs expire. All dairy farmers will need to make a decision about whether to participate and their participation level.

Join us at a MSU Extension meeting to learn more about the Dairy Margin Protection Program and what it means for your business. The meetings are free, but participants must re-register.

Choose from the locations listed below and register online at http://events.anr.msu.edu/DMPPmeetings/. If you do not have Internet access, you may call 231-533-8818 to register.

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

Sponsors: This material is based upon work supported by USDA-NIFA under Award Number 2012-49200-20032

September 3 | 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.Ogemaw County MSUE Office205 S. Eighth St., West Branch, MI 48661

September 3 |1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.Wexford County MSUE Office401 N. Lake St., Cadillac, MI 49601

September 5 |10:00 a.m. – 12:00 NoonRudyard Township Community Center18725 S. Mackinac Trail, Rudyard, MI 49780

September 8 |10:00 a.m. – 12:00 NoonHillsdale County MSUE Office20 Care Drive, Hillsdale, MI 49242

September 10 |10:00 a.m. – 12:00 NoonSanilac County MSUE Office37 Austin Street, Sandusky, MI 48471

September 10 | 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.Expo Center Meeting Room170 Soper Road, Bad Axe, MI 48413

September 12 | 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.Allegan County Human Service Building3255 122nd Avenue, Allegan, MI 49010

September 12 |1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.Ottawa County Fillmore Complex12220 Fillmore St., West Olive, MI 49460

September 15 |10:00 a.m. – 12:00 NoonFremont Area District Library104 E. Main Street, Fremont, MI 49412

September 17 |10:00 a.m. – 12:00 NoonClinton County RESA1013 US Highway 27, St. Johns, MI 48879

September 19 |10:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon (CDT)Menominee County MSUE OfficeS. 904 Highway 41, Stephenson, MI 49887Accommodations for persons with disabilities may be requested by calling 231-533-8818 one week prior to the event to ensure sufficient time to make arrangements.

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

Order Your MMPA Merchandise

through your milk hauler or call:

Supervisor:Duane Farmer 989-681-2334

Fax: 989-681-3988

Toll Free: 877-367-6455Orders (Novi)

800-572-5824 then dial 2

34% minimum protein13% maximum crude fiber

4% minimum fat

Valero Meal

16% maximum fiber6% minimum protein

2.1% maximum calcium2% minimum fat

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

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

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

Traditional ZFS® Menu

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

Moving Information:

MERCHANDISE

Due to unforeseen complications, we will not be in our new location until the middle of September. When calling the warehouse please be sure to use the toll free number. That number is 1-877-367-6455. We do however plan to be in the new building by the end of September. Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.

Cow Cufflink II MMPA Merchandise stocks the Cow Cufflink II hobbles. It is available in two colors, red and royal blue. The Cow Cufflink II is stronger than its original model, featuring 6,000-pound tensile strength nylon webbing with stainless steel components. A unique posi-lock buckle system that attaches to the cow’s ankle has zero failures and is easier to apply than Velcro-type hobbles. Able to do the job of two hobble sizes in one, the Cow Cufflink II has easy adjustability and can adjust from 12-21 inches at cow-side. The 21-inch setting is ideal for therapeutic applications such as milk fever and nerve-related damage due to difficult calving. For a small investment, the Cow Cufflink II can lengthen or even save a cow’s life. Every farm has a cow that just doesn’t want to go along with the program, fortunately, the 12-inch setting works

well as an anti-kicking device. To protect their milkers, some dairies have purchased Cow Cufflinks to use as an anti-kicking device on every first calf heifer that freshens. Cow Cufflink II features:• User friendly and humane to the cow

• Holds up well under acidic conditions

• Easy cow-side adjustability from 12-21 inches

• Prevents pawing when attached to front legs

• Long lasting, made with tough components

• Machine washable for easy clean-up

• Made in U.S.A.

Stock #7042 Cow Cufflink II: Red color $22.50 eachStock #7041 Cow Cufflink II: Blue color $22.50 each

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These are service personnel only. Order your Member Merchandise supplies through your hauler.

ECOLAB24 - Hour Medical Emergency

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

Ecolab Service Message Center 1-800-392-3392

orStan Palmer

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

419-797-2101

Ben Johnson4461 Cambridge Dr.

Port Huron, MI 48060810-824-0636

Jason Koerth7509 Aborcrest Dr.Portage, MI 49024

269-207-3773

Pat Mitchell7273 N. Rollin Hwy.Addison, MI 49220

517-403-0928

A & L Laboratories24 - Hour Medical Emergency

Hotline: 1-800-424-9300

Kurt Fiene8356 C.R. 115

Kenton, OH 43326612-889-1063

Jeff TimmNW 8665 C.R. M

Shawano, WI 54166612-840-0555

Payment for testing will be made through an automatic milk check deduction. All costs are listed per individual sample.

Cow Tests $1 Cow samples may be tested for: Culture for Streptococcus agalactiae, Strep non ag, Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase negative staph, gram negative and/or SCC.

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

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

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

Additional Tests Available: All costs are listed per individual sample. • Mycoplasma Cultures $12• Bacteriology Cultures $13 – Includes identification of bacteria

and drug susceptibility.

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

• Bovine Leukosis Test - ELISA – cows $ 6 - ELISA – tank $10• Milk Pregnancy ELISA $4.50

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

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

50,000 or below +55¢/cwt.51,000-75,000 +50¢/cwt.76,000-100,000 +45¢/cwt.101,000-125,000 +40¢/cwt.126,000-150,000 +35¢/cwt.151,000-175,000 +30¢/cwt.176,000-200,000 +25¢/cwt.201,000-225,000 +20¢/cwt.226,000-250,000 +15¢/cwt.251,000-300,000 +00¢/cwt.301,000-400,000 - 30¢/cwt.401,000-500,000 -$1.00/cwt.501,000-600,000 -$1.50/cwt.601,000 and greater -$2.00/cwt.

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

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

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

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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 website at www.greenmeadowfarms.com.

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

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

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

Crossbred bulls 100% AI. 810-724-8825.

Cows & Heifers45 Jersey and Jersey Holstein crosses. 12 bred Jersey heifers, 15 open Jersey heifers and calves. 1 Jersey bull. Would make good grazers. Leave message or call late evenings 989-587-3156.

Lactating Holsteins, springing heifers, and breeding heifers. A few Jersey/Holsteins and Brown Swiss/Holstein Crosses. 80 lb. avg. and under 100,000 SCC. Choice and can be sold in any size group. Call Lucas at 616-893-1623 or Robert at 616-893-8756.

30 plus good quality dairy cows. 989-386-3037 ask for David.

Equipment20-ft. X Fold Brillon Cultipacker. 810-724-8825.

2007 Kuhn Knight 8132 spreader. $1,800. Call Brent at 989-551-0681.

499 New Holland hydro swing haybine, $3,500. 185 New Holland Tandem manure spreader, $1,500. 1066 International tractor with duels. 989-551-6547.

John Deere 7800, FWD, cab, air, 3 remotes, R98050 rear tires, duels with 780R85 34 fronts, front fenders, full stack of weights, field ready, 4800 original hours, $62,000. Call 810-338-5265 for additional information.

34 J-Bunks, $75 apiece or $50 apiece if you take them all. Kongskilde/Overum 6 bottom plow 5000 series model #0105 for parts. Make an offer. WRL Daniels Farm 989-873-0036.

John Deere 643 corn head converted to poly has adapter plate to fit 5000 series choppers. 989-551-5644.

Dairy Equipment2,700 gal. Mueller bulk tank with Century II system and two coolers, $19,000. 989-255-6016.

Boumatic Plate Cooler, 81 plate model N81SC1, $3,000. Calf Star Mini-Flash Pasteurizer, 60 gal. storage tank, $10,500. 22 Boumatic milk meters and detachers with 2060 controller $10,000. DBL 10 Boumatic Herringbone parlor stalls with rapid exit reel $5,000. Cary Dairy Farm 269-968-3510.

16 Boumatic take offs model #2100. Make offer. 260-768-4378, ext. 2.

5 Surge Orbit milking units. 734-994-7349.

1 Dairy herd monitor w/sticker $50. 1 Dairy young stock monitor w/stickers $50. 2 Warming plates 2ftx4ft electric keep warm. 3 Calf Jacket like new $20 each. 1 Gal. Blue udder comfort new never open $250. 1 Gal. CMT $5. 2 Electric fencers super 100 $20 each. Double 8 Herringbone parlor w/air indexing rail and gates. 12 Surge Westfalia take off 2 years. 12 Boumatic Flowstar Milkers and Pulsator. Boumatic plate cooler 3 in low line. Dairy Chemical auto dispenser. Complete set-up. 1 Stone lined water heater 120 gal. 3 years old. 1250 Mueller bulk tank W/washer $6800. Equipment in Excellent Shape. Sebewaing MI. Call 989-551-9715 or 989-551-9765.

FeedCorn silage, ag bagged, kernel processed with inoculants. Delivery available. 231-250-8592.

Rye for sale. 810-724-8825.

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

3/4 or 1 ton diesel truck 4x4. 989-551-6547.

Naplage adapter kit to fit Claas 800 series. 231-388-0339.

Herd of dairy cows on milk check assignment. 616-889-0769.

Call 1-800-572-5824 ext. 202 to place your ad or email to [email protected] or fax 248-426-3412.

FREELINERS

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 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.

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

ClassifiedAds($20peradupto6lines)

1-800-248-8070

M-40 South

Hamilton, MI 49419

PTO and Automatic

Start Generators

REGISTERED HOLSTEIN BULLS

A SPECIAL HERD SIRE OR A TRUCK LOAD OF BREEDER BULLS. READY TO GO TO WORK ON YOUR FARM!

GREEN MEADOW FARMS

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

• FROM OUR TOP PRODUCTION COWS.

WWW.GREENMEADOWFARMS.COM

6400 HOLLISTER RD.

ELSIE, MI 48831

PH: 989-862-4291

OVER 100 SERVICE AGE BULLS FOR YOUR SELECTION!

Concrete Grooving and TexturingCall: Jeff Brisky - Owner

Toll Free: 1-800-294-1202Cell: 1-716-353-1137

Concrete Services Company

CLASSIFIEDS

OPPERMAN GROOVING: We can fix your scabbled floors. Diamond sawed grooves, no hammering or cracking of concrete. No hoof damage. Call Opperman Grooving Inc., Portland. 517-647-7381.

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

CONCRETE GROOVING BY TRI-STATE SCABBLING, home of the 2” wide groove. Best traction, lowest prices. (800) 554-2288. www.tristatescabbling.com

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

FOR SALE: 5000-4000-3000-2500-2000-1500 OH MUELLER LATE MODEL BULK TANK MILK TANKS, complete, will trade. 1-800-558-0112.

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

FOR SALE: (2) 7,000 TANDEM FOOD GRADE TANK TRAILERS. Set up for direct load w/chutes & spill dams. 1999 Walker 7,000 gal. 2000 Walker 7,000 gal. Call Matt Veale @ Burch Tank 989-400-9536.

BARN WHITE WASHING AND CLEANING WITH HIGH PRESSURE AIR: Serving all Michigan and Indiana. Miller Spray Service, Inc. 574-825-9776.

15 YEAR HEIFER GROWER has opening for up to 400 weaned to pre-fresh heifers. Rudyard area. Indoor housing in winter, pasture in summer. References provided upon request. Berkompas Farms 906-630-9469 or 906-322-4106.

BARN WHITE WASHING: Scholten Spraying Services. 616-895-6307. Allendale

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MILK ON FARM – DRUG RESIDUE SUSPECTEDIf 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 CONFIRMEDIf 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 QUESTIONABLEWhen 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 COUNTIf: 1. A load of milk is received (unloaded) at a dairy processing plant and, 2. a sample from the load has a bacteria count of 300,000 or more and, 3. testing of the individual member samples on that load identifies the member or members having a bacteria count of 300,000 or more, then the member or members involved will be charged the value of one-half of one day’s production** and will be disqualified for raw and PI bacteria count premiums.

**For members using more than one bulk tank, the assessment will be based on the value of milk in the tank or tanks in violation of the MMPA quality policy.* The member will only be paid for two (2) voluntary dumps in a rolling 12 month period.

REJECTED LOAD SHIPMENTIf: 1. A load of milk is rejected (not unloaded) at a dairy processing plant and, 2. the milk cannot be sold through normal Grade A channels for reasons of quality which results in the load being sold or disposed of at a loss to MMPA, and, 3. testing of the individual member samples on that load identifies the member or members that caused the contamination or rejection of the load, then, the member or members responsible will be charged the full value of the loss to MMPA plus transportation and disposal costs, and be disqualified for raw and PI bacteria count premiums except for loads rejected for temperature. 4. MMPA will provide an invoice to the member for the amount of the loss, to be submitted to the member’s insurance carrier. MMPA must receive settlement on the invoice within 90 days of issuance. If settlement is not made within 90 days, the full amount of the invoice will be deducted from the next milk check unless other settlement arrangements are made. If a member has a third occurrence or more within 12 consecutive months, that member must appear before the MMPA board of directors to review steps taken on the farm to correct the quality problem which will enable MMPA to continue to market the milk for this member.

HAULER A hauler whose entire load sample exceeds 300,000 cells per mL bacteria count will be charged the amount of an average shipment on that load if the individual member samples all are less than 100,000. A hauler will be responsible for all costs incurred by MMPA for loads rejected for temperature.

Charges and assessments made under this program will be withheld from milk checks of members or haulers involved.

POLICIES

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MARKET STATISTICS Mideast Federal Order #33 (pounds)

Mideast Federal Order #33

COMPONENT PRICING INFORMATION Mideast Federal Order #33

NATIONAL TRENDS(million pounds)

This Month Year Ago % Change

Total Class 1 Sales 495,583,403 515,011,523 -3.77

Total Class 2 Sales 156,357,364 166,555,894 -6.12

Total Class 3 Sales 573,195,275 506,594,324 +13.15

Total Class 4 Sales 194,575,657 163,428,147 +19.06

Total Production 1,419,711,699 1,351,589,888 +5.04

Class 1 Utilization 34.9% 38.1%

Current Month Total Producers 6,292Average Daily Production per Farm 7,279Average Protein Test 3.01%Average Butterfat Test 3.59%Average Other Solids Test 5.73%Average SCC Count (MMPA) 187,000

Protein Price/lb. $3.1798

Butterfat Price/lb. $2.6349

Other Solids Price/lb. $0.5046

Class III Price @ 3.5% $ 21.60

Prod. Price Diff/cwt. (Mich. Mkt.) $1.68

Uniform Price @ 3.5% $ 23.28

SCC Adjustment/cwt./1000 $0.00102

2014 2013 % ChangeProduction California 3,520 3,373 +4.4

Wisconsin 2,394 2,315 +3.4

Idaho 1,221 1,174 +4.0

New York 1,190 1,135 +4.8

Pennsylvania 896 870 +3.0

Texas 865 820 +5.5

Michigan 829 766 +8.2

Minnesota 764 765 -0.1

New Mexico 688 689 -0.1

Washington 563 547 +2.9

Ohio 462 447 +3.4

Indiana 336 316 +6.3

* Total U.S. 16,389 15,762 +4.0

* U.S. Y-T-D 113,642 111,576 +1.9

* For 23 states

Monthly Avg

Cheese /lb 2.0482

Butter /lb 2.3473

Nonfat Dry Milk /lb 1.8617

Dry Whey /lb 0.6890

NASS Survey Prices

MARKET REPORT

July 2014

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STAFFMMPA

General ManagerJoe Diglio, ext. 200

Member ServicesDean Letter,989-289-9251

Milk Sales/DispatchCarl Rasch, ext. 244

Laboratory Supervisor Patti Huttula, ext. 219

Manufactured Product SalesJim Dodson, ext. 229

QualityAmandeep Dhillon, ext. 305

Credit/InsuranceCheryl Schmandt, ext. 210

Human ResourcesCindy Tilden, ext. 220

Member Relations/Public AffairsSheila Burkhardt, ext. 208

Data Processing Gregory Schulkey, ext. 237

Member Communications Laura Moser, ext. 296Alex Schnabelrauch, ext. 211

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

MMPA Labs

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

NORTHWEST AREA Supervisor: Ben Chapin Blanchard 989-289-0731

Frank Brazeau Energy AuditorOconto, Wis. 906-250-0337

Lyndsay Earl Ludington 231-519-2455

Deb Navarre Leroy 248-520-3580

NORTHEAST AREA Supervisor: Christy Dinsmoore Mastitis Management SpecialistFairgrove 248-513-7920

Lindsay GreenEnergy Auditor Dewitt 989-488-8159

Angie Kirsch Harbor Beach 231-414-4539

Sarah Michalek 248-305-0537Portland

Drew Rupprecht Clio 269-986-6793

Ashley Werth 269-245-6632Alpena

Merchandise—Mt. PleasantDuane Farmer, Supervisor Toll Free 877-367-6455 Orders (Novi) 800-572-5824 then dial 2

MANUFACTURING PLANTS

Constantine269-435-2835Plant ManagerDave Davis

Ovid989-834-2221Plant ManagerColt Johnson

NOVI (Headquarters)248-474-6672 • 800-572-5824

MMPA FIELD STAFFSOUTH AREA Supervisor: Ed ZuchnikEnergy Auditor Three Rivers Office 269-967-7351

Krista Beeker LaGrange, IN 269-986-6792

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

Emily Butcher Bronson 269-535-0822

Violet Lombard Delton 248-520-3481

Elyse MartinEnergy Auditor Charlotte 810-701-6460

Other Services:Gary Best 810-664-4984Bulk Tank CalibrationLapeer cell: 586-484-9279

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

Steve Lehman 989-875-3441Mastitis Management SpecialistIthaca cell: 989-330-1638

Thank You Dairy Buyers at the 6th Annual Michigan Livestock Expo Sale-abration

Supporters of Michigan Dairy Youth raised $49,500 at the Michigan Livestock Expo Sale-abration event on July 22. The money raised will be used to provide scholarships and support dairy youth activities such as the Michigan Dairy Expo and other dairy youth

education programs.

2014 Dairy BuyersAmerican Farm Products

Calder DairyCaledonia Farmers Elevator

Class ConstructionCoBank

Dairy Farmers of AmericaFarm Bureau Family of Companies Employees

Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith, P.C.Greenstone Farm Credit Services

Hardy’s HolsteinsMeijer, Inc. MilkSource

Michigan Milk Producers AssociationNorthStar Cooperative, Inc.

Roberts Dairy ServiceThe Kroger Co. of Michigan

United Dairy Industry of MichiganVanBeek Nutrition

Vita Plus

Supreme Champion Dairy Showperson Hayleigh Geurink, Allendale

Supreme Champion Dairy CowParker Hardy, Tipton

Supreme Champion Dairy HeiferAnna Moser, Dansville

Grand Champion Cheese Old Europe Cheese, Benton Harbor

Michigan Milk Producers AssociationNovi, Mi

(248) 474-6672