northstar dhi annual performance report 2015

2 Enhancing producer profitability through integrated services. 2015 DHI Annual Performance Summary

Enhancing producer profitability through integrated services. 32015 DHI Annual Performance Summary

Dollar Value Calculation: A fair comparison of cow and herd production is dependent on the use of accurate, up-to-date prices paid to dairy producers for milk shipped from their farms. Dollar values for herd and cow listings in this publication were calculated based on standardized prices for milk, fat and protein yields. The prices for fat pounds, protein pounds, and producer price differential (factor for milk pounds) were computed as the averages of monthly price information from the Mideast Federal Marketing Order 33 for October 1, 2014 through September 30, 2015. The formula used was : (pounds of milk x -.0010) + (pounds of fat x 2.1415) + (pounds of protein x 2.7388).

Testing year reported represents period of October 1, 2014 through September 30, 2015, with a minimum of nine processed tests required for inclusion. All herds with cows milked more than twice per day are labeled as 3X herds within this Annual Performance Summary per National DHIA Uniform Data Collection Procedures.

1.800.631.3510northstarcooperative.com4200 Forest Road, BLDG A

Lansing, MI 48910

NorthStar Laboratories:In Michigan, Indiana and Ohio:

800.836.8114In Wisconsin and MI Upper Peninsula:

800.436.9344

Minimums to appear in summary: • Herd size = 10 cows• Number of processed tests = 9• Top dollar value mixed breeds herds = $4,370

• Top dollar value Red & White = $4,800• Top dollar value protein herds = $3,000• Top dollar value lactations = $4,000

REPORTS

IMPORTANT NOTES

6-7 Top 120 Dollar Value Herds - MI, IN & OH

10-11 Top 100 Dollar Value Herds - WI

13 Top Dollar Value Holstein Cows by Age

MI, IN & OH

17 Top Dollar Value Holstein Cows by Age - WI

19 Top Herds by Size & Dollar Value - MI, IN & OH

23 Top Herds by Size & Dollar Value - WI

26 Top Protein Breed Herds by Dollar Value - WI

30 Top Protein Breed Herds by Dollar Value

MI, IN & OH

32 Top Dollar Value Protein Breed Cows by Age

MI, IN & OH

34 Top Dollar Value Protein Breed Cows by Age

WI

35 Top Lifetime Cows for Milk Production - WI

36 Top Lifetime Cows for Milk Production

MI, IN & OH

37 Herds Under 100,000 SCC - WI

38 Herds under 100,000 SCC - MI, IN & OH

CONTENTS

Connect with us at:

5 Investing in Our Future

8-9 Contagious Mastitis Let Us Do the Detective Work

14-15 Sparks Quaker Acres, LLC

20-21 2015 Progressive Dairy Producer Award Winner

24-25 Top Producing Cows AreMostProfitable. Right?

28-29 Brightside Dairy

ARTICLES

2015 DHI Annual Performance Summary

Allflex “One Source” has you covered with visual tags, electronic tags and tissue sampling genomic identification. We’re leading the industry with solutions for today’s demanding information needs. ID Matters and we’re committed to providing producers with the tools needed to efficiently produce today and in the future!

800.989.8247 • allflexusa.com


By Ginni SheridanDirector, DHI Services

Allflex “One Source” has you covered with visual tags, electronic tags and tissue sampling genomic identification. We’re leading the industry with solutions for today’s demanding information needs. ID Matters and we’re committed to providing producers with the tools needed to efficiently produce today and in the future!

800.989.8247 • allflexusa.com

Unique forces within NorthStar have allowed for much growth

this past year. Despite slumping milk prices, NorthStar experienced record-breaking milk analysis submissions for both production and supplemental health and diagnostic testing in 2015.

The combined average monthly sample volume for component analysis at both of NorthStar’s laboratories increased 22 percent over our 2014 average. Likewise, supplemental health and diagnostic testing increased 26 percent for the same period, with revenues surpassing one million dollars for the first time since launching the Johne’s milk ELISA back in 2002. All of this growth shows the confidence that you, our customers and member-owners, have in the services NorthStar provides.

Over the past year we have made deliberate changes to improve our services and encourage growth. One growth strategy that became reality late in the year was the creation of a new lab facility for both component and diagnostic testing in Michigan.

In September we opened the doors of the new NorthStar Michigan Laboratory in Grand Ledge, which combines the services of DHI milk analysis and AntelBio’s supplemental health and diagnostic testing under one roof. We are excited to share that within the first six weeks of operation, our team of field and lab employees set new records for both the number of samples analyzed in a day, as well as the turnaround time from receipt of samples to results to you for DHI analysis.

There were many drivers behind the integration of services in the new Michigan Laboratory, including the fact that our NorthStar Wisconsin Laboratory has been successfully operating this way for the past three years. In fact, the continuous growth

in our Wisconsin market has maxed out our current lab capacity, so we are looking to create a new state-of-the-art facility in Wisconsin in 2016.

Over the past five years, the division of service areas (DHI, A.I.) in NorthStar’s structure has been replaced with regional teams. This team approach allows NorthStar to surround you, the customer, with specialists that provide specific strategies to help meet your farm’s goals. As this new structure has been implemented, and the demand for NorthStar’s services grows, we have increased our team roster to meet your changing needs.

Our greatest strength is our people. Whether it be you, the customer, the NorthStar team members, or the member-owners who serve in leadership roles, people make the difference and set our

organization apart from others. Collectively we can accomplish anything.

As we look towards the future, we are confident that our team has identified goals and developed strategies for continued growth. We have made investments and laid the groundwork to support this growth, and upon this stronger foundation we will be able to continue to achieve our goals.

It is truly a privilege to work with you and achieve once unimaginable records. The NorthStar team is optimistic about the future and we look forward to continuing to work together.

INVESTING IN OUR FUTURE

“Growth is never by mere chance; it is the result of forces working together.“ - James Cash Penney

BY THE NUMBERS(compared to 2014)

2015 % GrowthCows Tested 4,676,211 22.9%DHI Samples Analyzed 4,079,623 22.1%Total Samples Analyzed 4,313,463 20.3%Herds on Test 1,360 2.0%Cows Tested 436,865 24.3%Average Cows Tested per Month 389,684 22.9%Average Herd Size 321 -2.5%


3X

ADDRESS BREED HERD SIZE MILK FAT FAT % PROT PROT % VALUE HERD OWNER

TOP 120 DOLLAR VALUE HERDSM I C H I G A N , I N D I A N A & O H I O

1 * Nor-Bert Farms Bremen, IN H 124 31,964 1,453 4.5 1,134 3.5 $6,185 2 * Nor-Bert Farms Bremen, IN B 16 29,496 1,469 5.0 1,065 3.6 $6,033 3 * E. Kuyers & Sons West Olive, MI H 157 36,656 1,335 3.6 1,154 3.1 $5,983 4 * Lew-Max Holstein LLC Belding, MI H 571 32,542 1,205 3.7 984 3.0 $5,243 5 * Wilson Family Farm Carson City, MI H 771 29,860 1,194 4.0 982 3.3 $5,217 6 Darrell & Bonita Richard Goshen, IN H 80 29,957 1,246 4.2 921 3.1 $5,161 7 * Crandall Farms LLC Battle Creek, MI H 320 31,904 1,152 3.6 977 3.1 $5,111 8 * Chapin Family Farms Remus, MI H 702 31,522 1,178 3.7 941 3.0 $5,068 9 * Dan, Paul & Nate Elzinga Zeeland, MI H 232 31,080 1,154 3.7 956 3.1 $5,059 10 * Doug Westendorp Nashville, MI H 238 33,041 1,092 3.3 1,002 3.0 $5,050 11 * Larry E. Haywood Hastings, MI H 928 32,839 1,088 3.3 983 3.0 $4,989 12 * Gordon Dick Mc Bain, MI H 254 32,515 1,132 3.5 944 2.9 $4,977 13 * Bill & Lisa Bowerman Quincy, MI X 350 29,060 1,146 3.9 923 3.2 $4,953 14 * Pasch MBM Weidman, MI H 280 31,524 1,117 3.5 946 3.0 $4,951 15 * Larry E. Haywood Hastings, MI X 101 30,675 1,099 3.6 958 3.1 $4,947 16 Tim & Sandy Verhage Allegan, MI H 71 30,867 1,122 3.6 939 3.0 $4,944 17 * Ladine Farms Bellevue, MI H 138 33,323 1,092 3.3 963 2.9 $4,943 18 * Robert Getzloff Wilson, MI H 483 29,970 1,147 3.8 907 3.0 $4,910 19 Jeff Knuver Fremont, MI H 147 30,690 1,124 3.7 914 3.0 $4,880 20 Jeff & Alisha Bigler Lakeview, MI H 118 28,115 1,157 4.1 875 3.1 $4,846 21 Doug & Scott Long Clayton, MI H 70 28,755 1,092 3.8 918 3.2 $4,824 22 Harold Dodde Falmouth, MI H 247 28,935 1,103 3.8 909 3.1 $4,823 23 * Harry & Gary Sanborn Hubbardston, MI H 460 30,395 1,085 3.6 919 3.0 $4,810 24 Dale Brinks Mc Bain, MI H 203 27,896 1,146 4.1 866 3.1 $4,798 T * Doug Seiler Carson City, MI H 300 31,195 1,058 3.4 936 3.0 $4,798 T * Ron Brinks Mc Bain, MI H 222 31,533 1,072 3.4 925 2.9 $4,798 27 Mike Lyon Eaton Rapids, MI H 126 29,637 1,088 3.7 911 3.1 $4,795 28 * Jeff Alexander Hanover, MI H 107 30,551 1,018 3.3 964 3.2 $4,790 29 Sperry Dairy Farm LLC Coldwater, MI H 160 28,363 1,105 3.9 895 3.2 $4,789 30 * Buning Dairy LLC Falmouth, MI H 404 30,668 1,078 3.5 915 3.0 $4,784 31 * Dick Van Rijn Deford, MI X 703 29,815 1,079 3.6 908 3.0 $4,768 32 Jonas Zimmerman Wakarusa, IN H 130 27,651 1,152 4.2 848 3.1 $4,762 33 * First Farms Ionia, MI H 296 32,037 1,036 3.2 940 2.9 $4,761 T * Cary Dairy Farm Battle Creek, MI H 1,087 30,758 1,098 3.6 891 2.9 $4,761 35 * Carson Acres LLC Hesperia, MI H 170 31,099 1,012 3.3 958 3.1 $4,760 36 Starward Farms Sebewaing, MI H 90 27,941 1,084 3.9 899 3.2 $4,756 37 * Country Dairy New Era, MI H 111 26,476 1,175 4.4 826 3.1 $4,752 38 * Sparks Quaker Acres Fremont, MI X 348 29,757 1,072 3.6 907 3.0 $4,750 39 * David & Susan Granskog Stephenson, MI H 167 29,703 1,087 3.7 895 3.0 $4,749 40 * Kent Inniger Middleton, MI H 339 29,981 1,069 3.6 900 3.0 $4,724 41 * Autumn Vista Dairy Mc Bain, MI H 2,111 29,116 1,078 3.7 889 3.1 $4,714 42 Devon & Doreen Zimmerman Claypool, IN H 153 27,005 1,100 4.1 865 3.2 $4,698 43 * Rodney Daniels Whittemore, MI H 475 29,058 1,051 3.6 899 3.1 $4,684 44 * Curry Farms No.3 Tawas City, MI H 202 29,572 1,027 3.5 916 3.1 $4,678 45 Bill & Bob Gruppen Zeeland, MI H 192 30,516 1,013 3.3 924 3.0 $4,669 T Robert Lee Marion, MI H 123 25,431 1,183 4.7 789 3.1 $4,669 47 Earl & Jeff Horning Manchester, MI H 419 29,131 1,054 3.6 890 3.1 $4,666 48 * River Ridge Dairy Co.,Inc. Coopersville, MI H 1,389 27,926 1,127 4.0 831 3.0 $4,661 49 * Juengels Corner Oak Grand Blanc, MI H 178 28,660 1,052 3.7 883 3.1 $4,643 50 * Jeff Brenner Hopkins, MI H 716 28,174 1,103 3.9 842 3.0 $4,640 51 * Bruce & Doug Bloom Coldwater, MI H 648 27,551 1,077 3.9 859 3.1 $4,631 52 * Brand Dairy Farm Waterloo, IN H 401 29,013 1,038 3.6 889 3.1 $4,629 53 * S & M Dairy Harbor Beach, MI X 432 26,853 1,027 3.8 892 3.3 $4,615 54 * Norm Hammond Dowling, MI H 477 29,365 1,058 3.6 868 3.0 $4,614 55 * Doug Benthem Mc Bain, MI H 1,109 29,094 1,077 3.7 853 2.9 $4,613 56 * Jonathon Zimmerman Goshen, IN H 112 30,889 1,008 3.3 907 2.9 $4,612 57 Steve Landis Goshen, IN H 27 26,617 1,069 4.0 857 3.2 $4,610 58 Ken Zuiderveen Falmouth, MI H 228 28,465 1,036 3.6 880 3.1 $4,600 59 * Charles Ramer New Paris, IN X 37 26,502 1,051 4.0 867 3.3 $4,599 60 * John & Larry Deruiter Falmouth, MI H 128 28,491 975 3.4 927 3.3 $4,598 T * Oesch Swiss Lane Alto, MI H 530 29,106 1,007 3.5 902 3.1 $4,598


3X


TOP 120 DOLLAR VALUE HERDSM I C H I G A N , I N D I A N A & O H I O

62 Stuart Farms Lowell, MI H 380 28,593 1,020 3.6 891 3.1 $4,596 63 Leo & Barb Liddy Gladwin, MI H 86 28,255 1,031 3.6 880 3.1 $4,590 64 * Laeder Dairy Harbor Beach, MI X 373 29,060 1,015 3.5 891 3.1 $4,585 65 * Petro Farms Gobles, MI H 870 29,944 997 3.3 904 3.0 $4,581 66 Bob, Mike & Matt Cnossen Falmouth, MI H 542 27,714 1,060 3.8 853 3.1 $4,578 67 * VDS Fulton Fulton, MI H 2,810 28,301 1,064 3.8 849 3.0 $4,575 T * James & Brad Ritter Byron, MI H 213 28,072 1,042 3.7 866 3.1 $4,575 69 Burke Larsen Scottville, MI H 545 26,932 1,079 4.0 834 3.1 $4,568 70 Wardin Brothers Hemlock, MI H 165 26,465 1,051 4.0 855 3.2 $4,566 71 Norman Gross Weidman, MI H 126 27,752 1,055 3.8 851 3.1 $4,562 72 Tim Baker Byron Center, MI H 72 27,780 1,038 3.7 862 3.1 $4,556 73 * Jeff Shriver & Max Carlson Fremont, MI H 1,502 29,100 1,008 3.5 885 3.0 $4,553 74 * Evertt Bone Millington, MI H 540 28,680 1,009 3.5 883 3.1 $4,550 75 * Palms Boys LLC Palms, MI H 1,514 26,429 1,041 3.9 855 3.2 $4,545 76 * Mark Vanderhyde - Spartan Farm Sparta, MI H 206 27,876 1,053 3.8 846 3.0 $4,544 T * Galen Schalk Hillman, MI H 219 28,358 1,007 3.6 882 3.1 $4,544 78 * Oneeda Farms LLC Syracuse, IN H 209 28,694 1,041 3.6 851 3.0 $4,531 T Gilde Farms LLC Lake City, MI H 226 28,750 1,060 3.7 836 2.9 $4,531 80 * Don&DianeGriffin Hastings,MI H 242 28,844 1,001 3.5 880 3.1 $4,525 81 * Preston Farms Quincy, MI H 803 28,986 988 3.4 890 3.1 $4,524 82 * Petro Farms Gobles, MI J 43 25,041 1,048 4.2 841 3.4 $4,523 83 * Winkel Dairy LLC Mc Bain, MI H 1,094 28,489 1,047 3.7 840 2.9 $4,514 84 David Dezeeuw Falmouth, MI H 170 26,829 1,074 4.0 818 3.0 $4,513 T * Tony Rosbrugh West Branch, MI X 600 28,487 1,013 3.6 866 3.0 $4,513 86 * Oesch Swiss Lane Alto, MI H 1,833 29,105 1,013 3.5 866 3.0 $4,512 87 * S & M Dairy Harbor Beach, MI H 184 27,527 999 3.6 876 3.2 $4,511 88 * Kent Folkema Fremont, MI X 1,312 27,659 1,002 3.6 868 3.1 $4,495 89 * House Farms Mt. Pleasant, MI H 345 27,975 1,013 3.6 857 3.1 $4,489 90 Ken Meekhof Cadillac, MI H 176 26,803 1,015 3.8 852 3.2 $4,480 91 * Rich-Ro Dairy St Johns, MI H 3,284 27,548 989 3.6 872 3.2 $4,479 92 * Bebow Dairy Inc St. Louis, MI H 1,279 28,406 973 3.4 882 3.1 $4,471 93 * Kurt Chase Hastings, MI H 591 27,739 1,050 3.8 820 3.0 $4,467 T * Bob Baker Hastings, MI H 56 26,567 1,052 4.0 818 3.1 $4,467 95 Hardy Spring Lake Farms Stanton, MI H 222 27,054 1,038 3.8 829 3.1 $4,466 96 * Rene Dekker Ubly, MI H 1,304 28,922 995 3.4 863 3.0 $4,465 97 Calvin Bodeis Mayville, MI H 69 26,615 1,015 3.8 844 3.2 $4,459 98 * Arden & Nicholas Eadie Conklin, MI X 472 27,512 999 3.6 851 3.1 $4,443 99 * Charles Ramer New Paris, IN H 223 26,562 1,018 3.8 835 3.1 $4,440 T * Perry Cisco Hudson, MI H 203 28,639 988 3.4 859 3.0 $4,440 101 * H & K Dairy Bannister, MI H 517 29,091 981 3.4 864 3.0 $4,438 102 * Mark Yeazel Eaton, OH H 119 27,717 947 3.4 887 3.2 $4,430 103 * Nobis Dairy Farms St Johns, MI H 1,071 30,061 980 3.3 859 2.9 $4,421 104 Dan Weil Goodrich ,MI H 187 27,369 990 3.6 849 3.1 $4,418 105 * Petro Farms Gobles, MI X 115 27,352 983 3.6 854 3.1 $4,417 106 * Jan Van Ham Continental, OH H 2,285 25,673 988 3.8 848 3.3 $4,413 107 MSU Dairy Dept Lansing, MI H 199 26,429 994 3.8 843 3.2 $4,411 T * Messing Dairy Bad Axe, MI X 264 25,440 987 3.9 848 3.3 $4,411 109 Dave Klamer Conklin, MI H 50 26,285 1,004 3.8 832 3.2 $4,402 T Bruce Martin Whittemore, MI X 140 25,555 1,002 3.9 833 3.3 $4,402 111 * James Reid Jeddo, MI H 215 26,303 1,004 3.8 830 3.2 $4,397 112 * Cole Apple Farm Bancroft, MI H 343 28,046 990 3.5 836 3.0 $4,382 113 * Baker Lads Farm Clayton, MI H 522 29,095 953 3.3 865 3.0 $4,381 114 Dave & Rick Tacoma Falmouth, MI H 297 28,426 932 3.3 881 3.1 $4,380 115 * Central Michigan Milk Production St. Louis, MI H 1,019 27,496 971 3.5 849 3.1 $4,377 116 * Stockwell Farms, Inc. Hudson, IN H 579 28,209 976 3.5 845 3.0 $4,376 117 Greg Pluger Marion, MI H 170 28,550 954 3.3 862 3.0 $4,375 118 * Newell Farms Trufant, MI H 462 28,224 1,001 3.5 824 2.9 $4,372 119 * Andrews University Berrien Springs, MI H 771 28,474 983 3.5 838 2.9 $4,372 120 * Ernest Olson Middleville, MI H 438 27,903 987 3.5 834 3.0 $4,370


An outbreak of contagious mastitis is one of the most costly battles a dairy

producer may face, with losses stemming from decreased milk production, lowered milk quality bonuses due to increased Somatic Cell Count (SCC), and elevated veterinary costs. Fortunately, NorthStar Cooperative offers Mastitis PCR testing which provides faster analysis turnaround time than traditional culture with cost-effective testing programs. Recently, dairy producer Tom Levendoski discussed the value of PCR testing when dealing with a contagious mastitis outbreak.

Faced with nearly 100 cows in the hospital pen and an overwhelming number of sick calves, Tom searched for resources that would help him determine the source of his herd’s problem. “The number of cows we put in our hospital pen grew daily, but one of our most troubling problems was the volume of antibiotics my wife was using on our calves every day,” recalled Tom. “The calves are our future milk cows and seeing how sick they were meant a grim future.”

Along with physical signs of illness, the Clear Lake, Wisconsin dairy’s DHI records were showing a steady incline in the herd’s bulk tank SCC. Tom stated, “Not only were we spending money on medicine for the calves, we were also losing milk production from the number of animals in the hospital pen and our quality bonus was decreasing from our rising SCC.”

Searching for an answer to guide managerial decisions, Tom sent samples to the dairy’s local milk laboratory. Test after test, the results were negative for any infection or disease that may be spreading through the Levendoski’s herd. “We literally ran out of things to test for,” recalled Tom. With his herd’s clean bill of health, Tom turned to his dairy’s veterinarian for advice on how to increase production and decrease the number of sick animals.

Following the veterinarian’s suggestions to the letter, the dairy still showed no improvement. “We made a lot of changes,” Tom stated. “We switched from water beds to sand bedding – which was not an inexpensive move, we changed the way we managed our hospital pen, altered our milking procedures, changed our milking equipment, and sent towel samples to the University of Minnesota (U of M). Over a year later, our health issues had not improved.”

With no change in the herd’s health and no information from the laboratory to lead the dairy on their path to recovery, Matt, the dairy’s herdsman, decided to send six milk samples to U of M to be cultured for mastitis organism growth. “When the

results came back, I was physically ill,” recalled Tom. “To this day, I have never experienced a feeling quite like that.” Four out of the six samples came back positive for Mycoplasma bovis, a highly contagious mastitis organism which is easily spread from cow to cow.

The dairy began tackling the infection at its source, using weekly culture results from U of M as a guide for treatment and culling decisions – an effective, yet costly endeavor. “Between the price of cultures and the money lost on infected animals, we were in bad shape,” stated Tom. “That’s when Scott got involved.”

NorthStar Cooperative Team Leader Scott Ellevold first introduced Tom to NorthStar’s

CONTAGIOUS MASTITIS LET US DO THE DETECTIVE WORK

Table 1 Comparison of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to traditional culture for the detection of Mycoplasma bovis as the causative pathogen for mastitis.Test Characteristic PCR CultureTurnaround Time 24-48 hours 5-10 days

Detection Target DNA Growth Required

Milk Sample Types Hand-stripped Hand-stripped

DHI-preserved -

Antibiotic-treated -

Sensitivity Very High High

Pooling Suggested Yes No

Cost/Sample $6-$27 $10-$25


Advanced Technology and Practical SolutionsVAS is the industry’s leader in developing the most advanced on-farm dairy management tools.

These solutions will help you get the job done faster and easier than any other method. VAS has a unique ability to adapt new cutting edge technology and ideas into practical tools

that enhances the bottom line.

Valley Agricultural Software 559-686-9496 | [email protected] | www.vas.com

20151028-Advertentie VAS.indd 1 28-10-2015 11:22:36

Mastitis PCR test in January 2015. “I told Tom he really needed to try this new test,” recalled Scott. “With faster turn-around time than culture and the ability to pool samples while still identifying infected cows, I knew this test would really benefit the dairy while saving them a lot of money in the process.”

Having found nearly a third of his herd infected with Mycoplasma bovis and Staphylococcus aureus, Tom was hesitant to switch from traditional culturing that had identified his herd’s mastitis problem. “I told Scott, no way is this test going to surpass what culturing has done for our farm,” said Tom. “However, Scott was adamant about the positive affects PCR could have on my herd and getting my dairy back to optimal operation.”

After his own extensive research on PCR and what it entailed, Tom decided he would try the recommended analysis. “The next time Scott stopped by the farm I told him I would be willing to take his advice,” recalled Tom. “The only hitch was that our herdsman Matt was already on his way to U of M with a box of samples when Scott arrived. I told Scott if he could get to the samples before Matt delivered them to U of M, we could start the PCR trial.” Running to his vehicle, Scott called Matt and was able to intercept the samples before they reached the university, spending the rest of the afternoon driving the samples to the NorthStar Wisconsin Laboratory. Once delivered, the samples were analyzed using the Mastitis Contagious 3 PCR Panel and results were sent to Tom the next morning.

“What really sold me on Mastitis PCR was logging onto my computer the very next day, and seeing my sample results. I jumped back in my seat a little – I definitely was not expecting to have results that quickly,” laughed Tom. “When fighting with contagious mastitis, time is money. More time spent waiting for results means more time the infected animals are in contact with healthy animals - further spreading the infection.”

Unlike traditional culturing, which needs time for growth to occur before an accurate assessment can be made, Mastitis PCR detects the DNA in the animal’s milk to determine infection. This factor gives NorthStar the ability to report mastitis results up to ten days sooner than traditional culturing.

Time efficiency is just part of Mastitis PCR’s advantage over traditional culture. “I expected to pay an arm and a leg for the PCR testing given that an individual PCR test is more expensive than the individual cultures I had been paying for,” admitted Tom. “Although after looking at NorthStar’s testing options, I realized I would actually save thousands of dollars a year by pooling our samples.” With NorthStar’s pooling option, producers are able to combine up to five milk samples per PCR analysis for the same price as an individual test sample. If a pooled sample receives a positive result, laboratory technicians are then able to run the individual samples and determine which animal is infected.

Less than a year after Tom received t h e d e v a s t a t i n g results that indicated Mycoplasma bovis and Staphylococcus aureus had infected his herd, the dairy has rebounded stronger than they have ever been. With herd size back up to 600 milk cows, SCC down to 130,000, four cows in the treated pen, and no sick calves, Levendoski’s cows are averaging 94 pounds of milk a day – a statistic that seemed impossible just one year ago.

“We really monitor every cow that tests positive for mastitis,”

said Tom. Using DairyComp 305, the dairy is able to track individual animals and monitor their health records. “Now that we are sending samples to NorthStar for PCR testing every week and tracking the results, I can pull up any cow, check her medical history, and make treatment and culling decisions based solely off of that information.” Tom added, “PCR testing has proven to be the next level of testing combined with big savings.”

Mastitis PCR testing is a cost effective and time efficient option for proactive producers. With the ability to pool samples, monitoring for contagious infection has never been easier or more valuable to a dairy’s bottom-line. Having spent over $1 million recovering from Mycoplasma bovis and Staphylococcus aureus, Tom argues, “I don’t know how we could afford not to test our animals using Mastitis PCR!”

~ Kailey Sweers

“What really sold me on Mastitis PCR was logging onto my computer the very next day, and seeing my sample results. I jumped back in my seat a little – I definitely was not expecting to have results that quickly.”

~ Tom Levendoski


3X


3X HERD OWNER ADDRESS BREED HERD SIZE MILK FAT FAT % PROT PROT % VALUE

TOP 100 DOLLAR VALUE HERDSW I S C O N S I N

1 * Zoromski Family Farms LLC Custer, WI H 389 34,698 1,389 4.0 1,091 3.1 $5,928 2 * Rosy-Lane Holsteins LLC Watertown, WI H 937 31,464 1,356 4.3 1,003 3.2 $5,619 3 Feltz Family Farm Stevens Point, WI H 563 35,976 1,273 3.5 1,063 3.0 $5,601 4 * Tag Lane Farm Ixonia, WI H 1,122 31,267 1,255 4.0 1,009 3.2 $5,420 5 * Country Aire Farms Greenleaf, WI H 3,128 32,436 1,228 3.8 964 3.0 $5,238 6 * Shiloh Dairy Greenleaf, WI H 2,328 32,355 1,184 3.7 989 3.1 $5,212 7 * Wayside Dairy Greenleaf, WI H 1,944 30,388 1,239 4.1 943 3.1 $5,206 8 * Floyd & Calvin Brandt Bryant, WI X 34 29,020 1,264 4.4 920 3.2 $5,198 9 * Wegnerlann Dairy LLC Ettrick, WI H 626 32,746 1,156 3.5 1,002 3.1 $5,187 10 * Ledgerock Dairy LLC Larsen, WI H 395 31,120 1,231 4.0 941 3.0 $5,182 11 * United Pride Dairy LLC Phillips, WI X 169 26,583 1,214 4.6 951 3.6 $5,178 12 * Brickstead Dairy LLC Greenleaf, WI H 866 32,062 1,176 3.7 978 3.1 $5,165 13 * United Pride Dairy LLC Phillips, WI H 1,979 30,705 1,166 3.8 985 3.2 $5,164 14 * Mark Anderson Waupaca, WI X 211 31,743 1,186 3.7 959 3.0 $5,135 15 * Abel Dairy Farms Fond Du Lac, WI H 1,597 32,024 1,150 3.6 980 3.1 $5,115 16 Jenlar Swiss - Larry & Jennifer Chilton, WI B 13 25,378 1,247 4.9 894 3.5 $5,094 17 Brantmeier Hilrose Dairy Sherwood, WI H 100 32,626 1,161 3.6 962 2.9 $5,088 18 * John & Mark Egan New London, WI H 749 31,730 1,165 3.7 956 3.0 $5,081 19 * Bob Van Daalwyk Hilbert, WI H 189 31,846 1,135 3.6 977 3.1 $5,075 20 Andrew & Joan Meyer Chilton, WI H 110 28,045 1,197 4.3 897 3.2 $4,992 21 Bruce & Brenda Long New London, WI H 54 31,257 1,144 3.7 933 3.0 $4,974 T * Trappers Turn Dairy Scandinavia, WI H 331 31,154 1,108 3.6 961 3.1 $4,974 23 * Floyd & Calvin Brandt Bryant, WI H 80 30,065 1,188 4.0 894 3.0 $4,963 24 * Hoffmans Happy Holsteins LLC Peshtigo, WI H 540 31,674 1,138 3.6 929 2.9 $4,950 25 * Verhoef Dairy Colby, WI H 296 30,029 1,117 3.7 938 3.1 $4,931 26 * Brad & Laura Friesen Barron, WI H 213 29,177 1,131 3.9 925 3.2 $4,926 27 Charles Maurer Chilton, WI H 113 29,962 1,102 3.7 945 3.2 $4,918 28 * Badger Holsteins Unity, WI X 51 25,048 1,170 4.7 886 3.5 $4,907 29 * Blaser Farms Inc. Gillett, WI H 591 30,935 1,139 3.7 912 2.9 $4,906 30 * Quantum Dairy LLC Weyauwega, WI H 2,360 30,180 1,117 3.7 925 3.1 $4,895 31 * Dave & Stacy Jauquet Luxemburg, WI H 605 31,093 1,072 3.4 960 3.1 $4,894 32 * Sugar Creek LLC New London, WI H 1,259 29,736 1,113 3.7 926 3.1 $4,890 33 * Dan & Tim Liner Van Dyne, WI H 436 31,289 1,053 3.4 972 3.1 $4,886 34 * Rusk-Rose Holsteins Ladysmith, WI H 339 30,411 1,149 3.8 892 2.9 $4,873 35 * Badger Holsteins Unity, WI H 1,500 28,599 1,111 3.9 918 3.2 $4,865 36 * Foxland Farms LLC Greenleaf, WI H 117 32,619 1,033 3.2 975 3.0 $4,850 37 * Pickart Dairy Malone, WI H 698 30,442 1,122 3.7 904 3.0 $4,848 38 * SeehaferAcres Marshfield,WI H 301 29,421 1,154 3.9 858 2.9 $4,792 39 Charles & Christopher Weber Elmwood, WI H 162 27,679 1,116 4.0 879 3.2 $4,770 40 * Dan Madden New London, WI H 401 29,420 1,076 3.7 907 3.1 $4,759 41 * Rick & Connie Schuessler Antigo, WI H 331 29,645 1,067 3.6 912 3.1 $4,753 42 Krzewina Farms Crivitz, WI H 396 32,079 1,028 3.2 942 2.9 $4,749 43 * Johnson Farm LLC Daggett, MI H 1,633 28,399 1,065 3.8 911 3.2 $4,747 44 * Abel Acres Inc. Loyal, WI H 310 29,929 1,130 3.8 852 2.8 $4,723 45 * Micke Dairy LLC Reedsville, WI H 531 30,252 1,051 3.5 905 3.0 $4,699 46 * Marcus De Jong Dorchester, WI H 602 30,583 1,015 3.3 933 3.1 $4,698 T * Ed Walter Farm Inc. Oshkosh, WI H 226 28,155 1,103 3.9 863 3.1 $4,698 48 * Seidls Mtn View Dairy Luxemburg, WI H 1,131 29,467 1,038 3.5 913 3.1 $4,694 49 Emerald-Acres De Pere, WI H 533 27,570 1,094 4.0 867 3.1 $4,690 50 David & Jane Pescinski Colby, WI H 60 28,672 1,063 3.7 891 3.1 $4,688 51 * Rickert Bros Eldorado, WI H 1,052 28,813 1,081 3.8 874 3.0 $4,680 52 * Stahl Bros. Dairy Luxemburg, WI H 1,412 28,824 1,069 3.7 882 3.1 $4,676 53 * Kohn Farms Krakow, WI H 343 28,494 1,085 3.8 868 3.0 $4,672 54 Don Mielke Menasha, WI J 44 22,091 1,151 5.2 813 3.7 $4,669 55 Hallet Dairy Farm LLC Casco, WI X 16 27,938 1,080 3.9 863 3.1 $4,648 56 John & Dee Winkelman Watertown, WI H 88 27,261 1,068 3.9 869 3.2 $4,640 57 * Heller Farm Inc. Alma Center, WI H 1,052 27,203 1,042 3.8 885 3.3 $4,628 58 * Neighborhood Dairy Kaukauna, WI H 951 28,527 1,028 3.6 896 3.1 $4,627 59 * Breezy Hill Farms LLC Weyauwega, WI H 420 29,615 1,027 3.5 896 3.0 $4,624 60 Don Mielke Menasha, WI H 21 28,167 1,039 3.7 885 3.1 $4,621 61 * Jim Leick Greenleaf, WI H 534 28,920 1,020 3.5 898 3.1 $4,615 62 Vil-Edge Farms Fond Du Lac, WI H 88 28,689 1,057 3.7 867 3.0 $4,609 T * Kinnard Farms Inc. Casco, WI H 3,750 30,115 1,028 3.4 890 3.0 $4,609 64 * Zinke Dairy Farms LLC Brownsville, WI H 720 28,698 1,065 3.7 859 3.0 $4,605 65 Steve Jankowski Withee, WI H 86 27,263 1,066 3.9 857 3.1 $4,603 66 Jeff & Jill Pinter Curtiss, WI H 82 28,252 1,035 3.7 870 3.1 $4,571 67 * Brightside Dairy LLC Greenleaf, WI H 704 30,437 985 3.2 909 3.0 $4,569 68 New-Day Dairy Robert Strack Athens, WI H 78 29,670 998 3.4 895 3.0 $4,559 69 Justin & Darci Daniels Hixton, WI H 54 28,311 980 3.5 908 3.2 $4,557 70 Riemer-Sawall Clintonville, WI H 188 26,999 1,064 3.9 841 3.1 $4,555 71 Twinkle-Hill Brown Swiss Watertown, WI B 75 24,571 1,059 4.3 843 3.4 $4,552

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TOP 100 DOLLAR VALUE HERDSW I S C O N S I N

72 Hillebrand Farms Cornell, WI H 101 26,214 1,075 4.1 826 3.2 $4,538 T * Dave & Jeremy Hintz Brillion, WI H 83 27,721 1,046 3.8 849 3.1 $4,538 74 Dennis Blazek Oconto Falls, WI H 174 28,463 985 3.5 896 3.1 $4,535 T * Noll Farms Coleman, WI H 406 29,323 975 3.3 904 3.1 $4,535 76 Travis Marti Vesper, WI H 185 29,125 974 3.3 904 3.1 $4,533 77 * Diedrick Family Farm Chilton, WI H 59 27,737 1,084 3.9 815 2.9 $4,526 78 Auburnvale Swiss Fremont, WI H 100 27,007 1,040 3.9 848 3.1 $4,523 79 * Jed & Kristie Court Black Creek, WI H 95 26,603 1,057 4.0 832 3.1 $4,516 80 Daryl&PamNunes Deerfield,WI H 53 28,259 1,027 3.6 854 3.0 $4,510 81 * Beck Dairy Farms Campbellsport, WI H 788 28,368 1,018 3.6 856 3.0 $4,496 82 Wilstar Holsteins Pine River, WI H 65 26,600 1,017 3.8 854 3.2 $4,490 83 * Stutzman Family Farms LLC Conrath, WI H 336 28,243 1,034 3.7 840 3.0 $4,487 84 * Muenster Homestead Farms Seymour, WI H 224 28,650 1,006 3.5 858 3.0 $4,476 85 * Kohlman Dairy LLC. Chilton, WI H 465 29,028 992 3.4 867 3.0 $4,470 86 Ken & Sharon Fochs Hilbert, WI H 52 27,526 1,016 3.7 843 3.1 $4,457 87 Brooks Dairy Farms Waupaca, WI H 243 26,635 1,034 3.9 826 3.1 $4,450 88 * Phil Robertson Farms LLC Seymour, WI H 263 27,974 981 3.5 867 3.1 $4,447 89 Dave Beschta Shiocton, WI H 72 27,291 1,030 3.8 823 3.0 $4,432 90 Matt & Casey Ver Voort De Pere, WI H 76 27,304 981 3.6 858 3.1 $4,423 T * Ron & Nicole Wussow Cecil, WI H 45 28,852 984 3.4 856 3.0 $4,423 92 * Morning View Dairy LLC Merrill, WI H 443 28,294 997 3.5 845 3.0 $4,421 93 * United Vision Dairy LLC Mishicot, WI H 918 27,794 1,020 3.7 817 2.9 $4,394 94 * Goodrich Farms LLP New Richmond, WI H 454 26,534 971 3.7 851 3.2 $4,384 95 * Seven Oaks Dairy LLC Kaukauna, WI H 876 28,119 984 3.5 841 3.0 $4,382 96 * James & Joseph Rieden Mount Calvary, WI H 495 29,328 943 3.2 872 3.0 $4,378 97 Len-Don Farms Bloomer, WI H 64 26,138 1,015 3.9 814 3.1 $4,377 98 * Hilger Farms Inc. Bloomer, WI H 421 27,688 986 3.6 837 3.0 $4,376 T Leahy Farms Inc. Brandon, WI H 134 27,101 997 3.7 828 3.1 $4,376 100 Patrick & Joe Murphy New London, WI H 134 25,860 1,009 3.9 818 3.2 $4,375

®EPRINEX and the Cattle Head Logo are registered trademarks of Merial. ©2015 Merial, Inc., Duluth, GA. All rights reserved. RUMIEEP1502 (01/15)

1 Based on FOI summaries and label claims.2 Rendell D, et al. Anthelmintic resistance in cattle nematodes on thirty-six Victorian properties. Proceedings XXVIII World Buiatrics Congress. 2014;231-244.3 Beckett J. Effi cacy of pour-on dewormers diff ering in active ingredient and carrier on weight gain and fecal egg count in stocker beef cattle. College of Agriculture, Cal Poly State University.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: No meat or milk withdrawal is required when used according to label. Do not use in calves intended for veal or unapproved animal species as severe adverse reaction, including fatalities in dogs, may result.

Did you know moxidectin is believed to be a driver of resistance in some species?2 EPRINEX contains eprinomectin. What’s the difference? More parasite species and stages.1 More weight gain.3 More pro� tability. Get the most out of your dewormer. Choose eprinomectin. Choose EPRINEX.

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EPRINEX® (eprinomectin)

EPRINEX kills more species and stages than any other brand.1 Period.

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33616-EPRINEX_Resistance_8x5_NORTHSTAR COOPERATIVE.indd 1 10/5/15 9:06 AM

3X


HERD OWNER

THAT’S MORE COOPERATIVE.With more ways to make sure your voice is heard, services to help you on your operation and investments in plants and products that bring additional value, Dairy Farmers of America offers more ways to ensure your success. And that’s what makes us More Cooperative.

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MORE THAN A MILK CHECK.

ADVTME1507

TODD TUBERGEN | TUBERGEN DAIRY FARM | IONIA, MICH.

Mideast Area | 1035 Medina Road, Suite 300 | Medina, OH 44256 | 1-800-837-6776


HERD OWNER ADDRESS COW ID SIRE ID MILK FAT FAT % PROT PROT % VALUE

3 0 5 D A Y L A C T A T I O N S

TOP DOLLAR VALUE HOLSTEIN COWS BY AGEM I C H I G A N , I N D I A N A & O H I O

Jr. Two-Year-Old Nor-Bert Farms Bremen, IN MINKA MOGAL 35,398 1,980 5.6 1,241 3.5 $7,604Rene Dekker Ubly, MI 5349 ALTATUFENUF 42,277 1,784 4.2 1,257 3.0 $7,221Cary Dairy Farm Battle Creek, MI 7427 PONTIAC 45,229 1,576 3.5 1,197 2.6 $6,608Cary Dairy Farm Battle Creek, MI 7189 PLATO 43,074 1,577 3.7 1,158 2.7 $6,506Nor-Bert Farms Bremen, IN SHELIA HILL 32,318 1,573 4.9 1,119 3.5 $6,401 Sr. Two-Year-Old E. Kuyers & Sons West Olive, MI 2149 KRAMER 47,650 1,691 3.5 1,427 3.0 $7,482Aaron & Allen Slater Holton, MI 3554 32,306 1,818 5.6 1,099 3.4 $6,871Aaron & Allen Slater Holton, MI 1430 33,332 1,774 5.3 1,087 3.3 $6,743Lew-Max Holstein LLC Belding, MI 4994 BRONCO 39,346 1,483 3.8 1,282 3.3 $6,648Denis Burke Ruth, MI 1072 36,456 1,751 4.8 1,071 2.9 $6,647 Jr. Three-Year-Old Nor-Bert Farms Bremen, IN DASH DOMAIN 46,236 2,409 5.2 1,680 3.6 $9,714Pete Kurncz St Johns, MI 651 38,455 2,031 5.3 1,351 3.5 $8,011Nor-Bert Farms Bremen, IN HEIDI HILL 35,866 1,945 5.4 1,262 3.5 $7,586Irish Acres Dairy LLC Sidney, OH 12051 MICKEY 35,487 1,651 4.7 1,310 3.7 $7,088Mark Vanderhyde - Spartan Farm Sparta, MI 5107 37,974 1,895 5.0 1,106 2.9 $7,049 Sr. Three-Year-Old Nor-Bert Farms Bremen, IN MAYA BOWSER 38,841 1,804 4.6 1,361 3.5 $7,552Nor-Bert Farms Bremen, IN MIKAYLA BOWSER 38,388 1,658 4.3 1,363 3.6 $7,245Dan, Paul & Nate Elzinga Zeeland, MI 2410 EVOLVE 43,332 1,775 4.1 1,233 2.8 $7,135Lew-Max Holstein LLC Belding, MI 4774 NIAGRA 36,670 1,829 5.0 1,176 3.2 $7,101Dan, Paul & Nate Elzinga Zeeland, MI 2417 DOMINGO 45,154 1,609 3.6 1,298 2.9 $6,955 Four-Year-Old Nor-Bert Farms Bremen, IN DASHA MASSEY 59,043 2,729 4.6 2,185 3.7 $11,769Country Dairy New Era, MI 19363 ALTABAXTER 33,502 2,452 7.3 1,043 3.1 $8,074Dan, Paul & Nate Elzinga Zeeland, MI 2475 SIRIUS 42,685 1,891 4.4 1,381 3.2 $7,789Lew-Max Holstein LLC Belding, MI 4762 NIAGRA 53,042 1,712 3.2 1,518 2.9 $7,771Buning Dairy LLC Falmouth, MI 2804 CALVARY 42,279 1,926 4.6 1,339 3.2 $7,750 Five-Year-Old Nor-Bert Farms Bremen, IN FAITH JEEVES 40,654 1,981 4.9 1,500 3.7 $8,310Mark Vanderhyde - Spartan Farm Sparta, MI 4812 43,907 2,011 4.6 1,208 2.8 $7,571VDS Fulton Fulton, MI 19075 ALTAALLY 35,338 2,125 6.0 1,109 3.1 $7,553Cary Dairy Farm Battle Creek, MI 5906 MOSCOW 40,944 2,083 5.1 1,142 2.8 $7,548Kent Folkema Fremont, MI 9088 39,652 1,891 4.8 1,254 3.2 $7,444 Aged Cows Kent Folkema Fremont, MI 2068 41,289 2,079 5.0 1,396 3.4 $8,234Nor-Bert Farms Bremen, IN BARBIE RAMOS 44,024 1,932 4.4 1,498 3.4 $8,196Nor-Bert Farms Bremen, IN SELITA AIRRAID 44,804 1,828 4.1 1,554 3.5 $8,126Gordon Dick Mc Bain, MI 1325 DAMION 46,837 1,931 4.1 1,446 3.1 $8,049Crandall Farms LLC Battle Creek, MI 1487 GIVENCHY 42,831 1,907 4.5 1,379 3.2 $7,818


As milk prices dwindle, management decisions regarding each individual

cow become more important than ever. At Sparks Quaker Acres, LLC in Fremont, Michigan, the Sparks family relies on DHI testing, the resulting data and available tools to make management decisions for their 350-cow herd.

On DHI test with NorthStar since the mid-90s, Glen Sparks and his sons Andy, Casey and Nate utilize their DHI information mainly for the record keeping it affords them and the ability to improve upon their herd.

“A majority of our decisions are based on our DHI records,” noted Casey. “You can make the best decisions on each cow, especially as margins get tighter you’re able to evaluate your efficiency and know where you’re lacking.”

“I used to wonder if the investment was worth it,” Andy recalled of the time the dairy was just looking at the milk weights and reports they received after each test day. “Now (with PCDART) that’s not even a question!”

Sparks Quaker Acres has been utilizing PCDART herd management software for the last 10 years. With the ability to manipulate and filter the data within PCDART, Casey is able to quickly access the information needed to make management decisions.

“Before PCDART, that info would’ve been written in a notebook somewhere, and we may not have found it when we needed it,” he added. “Having that (PCDART) database to look up information is an essential part of keeping our herd running.”

When away from the computer, Casey utilizes the PocketDairy app on his smart phone to access the records, adding “PocketDairy is a great addition to PCDART, especially when I’m out walking the barns.”

Since their start with DHI, the dairy has paid close attention to the somatic cell counts (SCC), pulling the highest counts for mastitis cultures and treatment when necessary. With the addition of PCDART, Casey is able to track the sick cows and their treatments much more easily.

The Sparks also found that utilizing their DHI samples for Johne’s testing is a convenient and cost-effective way to monitor the raw colostrum fed to heifer calves. All cows are tested at dry-off, and only Johne’s-free colostrum is given to heifer calves. The dairy used the serum test for a long time before switching over to the milk test six years ago.

“The testing has been a mechanism to work our way out of it (Johne’s),” Glen noted. “We weren’t really aware of Johne’s when we started milking, and we had a bug somewhere.”

“We have decreased Johne’s significantly within the herd since starting the routine testing,” said Casey. “Now we’re down to less than 3 percent of the herd is suspect for Johne’s.”

“That’s one area we want to be sure of with the herd,” Glen added. “The ability to screen for Johne’s from those same samples is a very valuable part of DHI.”

For each of the Sparks, knowing where the herd is at is the biggest benefit of DHI testing. “When you’re looking at the herd every day, and you’re a part of it, you don’t see the changes as they happen,” said Andy. Over the last five years, the herd has increased their Rolling Herd Average (RHA) by 4,500 pounds of Milk, 200 pounds of Fat and 270 pounds of Protein, all the while increasing the herd size from 240 to 350 cows and decreasing SCC by over 50,000.

SPARKS QUAKER ACRES, LLCUNCOVERING GREATER VALUE THROUGH AVAILABLE RESOURCES

From left to right (standing): Casey & Laura Sparks with children Austin, Levi and Georgia; Andy & Vicki Sparks with sons Tommy and Drew; Glen Sparks; Nate & Tricia Sparks with children Ma-son, Logan & Ellen (seated); L to R on the bench: Nancey Sparks and her mother, Pauline Foster


The Sparks are able to compare their test day results to the state and nation-wide benchmarks provided on DRMS’s website. “The DairyMetrics are a very helpful guide in knowing where we’re at,” Casey noted. “You don’t talk to other farmers about their numbers, so we don’t really know how we’re doing compared to the other guys until you look at the DairyMetrics.”

Another tool the dairy has been using to evaluate performance is the Money Corrected Milk (MCM) feature to account for the current economic value of milk components. “When you have cows next to each other in the barns, and they’re milking 80 lbs. and 90 lbs., how do they compare when the final product ships out?” asked Casey.

By using the revenue-based MCM tool, Casey is able to evaluate the herd with a truer income over feed cost. The dairy is now experimenting among three different cow groups and using MCM to determine if it’s worth it for them to continue with the targeted feeding. Vita Plus nutrition consultant Mark Case also pulls the herd’s DHI information into PCDART Consultant software to adjust feed rations.

Casey maintains the dairy’s PCDART and enters all the reproduction information and breeding dates for the herd. “I can track our breeding triggers, who did the

breeding, and our timed A.I. shot schedule,” Casey added.

Sparks Quaker Acres has been an A.I. bred herd since they started milking cows in the late ‘80s and have been utilizing Select Sires genetics throughout. “Most of our genetics have come through NorthStar,” said Glen. “A lot of that has been because of Larry Handy and Jack White’s presence in the area.”

The dairy began using the Select Mating Service (SMS) a few years ago to better improve the way the genetics were being used within the herd. “We were spending money on semen haphazardly,” Casey said. “Now we’re making sure we’re getting what we wanted.”

NorthStar Team Leader and SMS Evaluator Steve Reed is on the farm every six weeks. The Sparks prefer to use bulls that are high on net merit and conception rate in a mid-price range. Steve rotates bulls out of their matings periodically, and Casey, who does all the breeding on-farm, appreciates that the cows are always on the list with the suggested service sire in PCDART when it comes time to breed.

The Sparks are now seeing a more uniform profile among their milking string as first-calf heifers resulting from SMS matings are now milking. “We’re seeing the improvements, especially in the feet and legs,” Casey noted. “The heifers are looking much better.”

The Sparks agree that the SMS service has been an excellent choice for their herd. In addition to preventing inbreeding, the matings bolster the semen the dairy is purchasing. “Steve knows the bulls and knows what to do to get the best out of the matings,” Casey said.

“The SMS matings are hugely beneficial,” agreed Andy. “We didn’t have a real

direction or intent with our breeding before. We had all the cost and work of an A.I. program, we just didn’t have a goal post.”

Utilizing the many tools available to them has allowed the Sparks to continue their growth and improvement since they switched from raising hogs to selling milk from their 20 cows in 1989. Today, the herd features mostly Holsteins with a string of 30 Brown Swiss on their 400-acre farm. Milking three-times-a-day, the herd has a current RHA of 29,757 Milk, 1,072 Fat and 907 Protein.

With more information and tools available to producers than ever before, the dairy industry has certainly changed since Glen began their dairy in 1989. “NorthStar reflects how they’ve been able to change with the market,” Glen reflected. “They’ve done a good job keeping up with the industry as it’s changed.”

“NorthStar is like an all-inclusive package,” Casey laughed. “The mating service bolsters the semen we’re buying, the availability of health testing on DHI samples is very valuable, and the reps all have a background and knowledge beyond what they’re doing here that day. It’s just easier when it is all coming from NorthStar.”

~ Jennica Vander Boon

“As margins get tighter you’re able to evaluate your efficiency and know where you’re lacking with DHI.” ~ Casey Sparks

16 Enhancing producer profitability through integrated services.

HERD OWNER


Enhancing producer profitability through integrated services.

HERD OWNER ADDRESS COW ID SIRE ID MILK FAT FAT % PROT PROT % VALUE

3 0 5 D A Y L A C T A T I O N STOP DOLLAR VALUE HOLSTEIN COWS BY AGEW I S C O N S I N

Jr. Two-Year-Old Mike Van Rossum Kaukauna, WI 3370 37,231 1,613 4.3 1,234 3.3 $6,797Zoromski Family Farms LLC Custer, WI 1643 SHOT 35,724 1,660 4.6 1,177 3.3 $6,743Country Aire Farms Greenleaf, WI 12716 BONSPIEL 37,681 1,571 4.2 1,124 3.0 $6,405Feltz Family Farm Stevens Point, WI 1709 41,264 1,551 3.8 1,129 2.7 $6,372Tag Lane Farm Ixonia, WI 8804 MOGUL 37,218 1,506 4.0 1,161 3.1 $6,368 Sr. Two-Year-Old Shiloh Dairy Greenleaf, WI 7969 G W ATWOOD 44,744 1,816 4.1 1,243 2.8 $7,249Rosy-Lane Holsteins LLC Watertown, WI 5356 SHAMROCK 44,209 1,781 4.0 1,249 2.8 $7,191Shiloh Dairy Greenleaf, WI 7802 ALTACELEB 40,414 1,719 4.3 1,268 3.1 $7,114Shiloh Dairy Greenleaf, WI 7868 ALTACELEB 43,791 1,651 3.8 1,322 3.0 $7,113Rosy-Lane Holsteins LLC Watertown, WI 5071 TONIC 42,426 1,722 4.1 1,248 2.9 $7,063 Jr. Three-Year-Old Feltz Family Farm Stevens Point, WI 1366 44,752 2,028 4.5 1,186 2.7 $7,546Zoromski Family Farms LLC Custer, WI 1335 LUCIUS 40,242 1,762 4.4 1,369 3.4 $7,482Marcus De Jong Dorchester, WI 1252 ALTABAXTER 41,799 1,876 4.5 1,273 3.0 $7,462Feltz Family Farm Stevens Point, WI 1354 44,020 1,916 4.4 1,209 2.7 $7,370Rosy-Lane Holsteins LLC Watertown, WI 4938 SOTO 37,669 1,905 5.1 1,196 3.2 $7,317 Sr. Three-Year-Old Rosy-Lane Holsteins LLC Watertown, WI 4816 O MAN 41,001 1,974 4.8 1,319 3.2 $7,799Wayside Dairy Greenleaf, WI 2813 PRENTICE 41,319 1,983 4.8 1,305 3.2 $7,779United Pride Dairy LLC Phillips, WI 4438 LOGAN 39,393 1,880 4.8 1,293 3.3 $7,528Country Aire Farms Greenleaf, WI 9681 JAKE 40,696 2,010 4.9 1,169 2.9 $7,465Shiloh Dairy Greenleaf, WI 6721 ALTAOMAX 38,728 1,806 4.7 1,316 3.4 $7,433 Four-Year-Old Country Aire Farms Greenleaf, WI 9602 MONUMENT 44,902 2,093 4.7 1,378 3.1 $8,211Rosy-Lane Holsteins LLC Watertown, WI 4604 O MAN 41,858 1,863 4.5 1,417 3.4 $7,829Shiloh Dairy Greenleaf, WI 6272 SHOTTLE 44,632 1,992 4.5 1,285 2.9 $7,741Zoromski Family Farms LLC Custer, WI 1278 43,787 1,849 4.2 1,394 3.2 $7,734Country Aire Farms Greenleaf, WI 163 SANCHEZ 47,145 1,910 4.1 1,340 2.8 $7,713 Five-Year-Old United Pride Dairy LLC Phillips, WI 3145 SATIRE 52,987 2,050 3.9 1,513 2.9 $8,481Badger Unity, WI 3854 O MAN 41,014 2,013 4.9 1,437 3.5 $8,205Country Aire Farms Greenleaf, WI 8944 AIRRAID 43,295 2,066 4.8 1,277 2.9 $7,878Country Aire Farms Greenleaf, WI 6561 ERNIE 42,387 1,979 4.7 1,261 3.0 $7,649Feltz Family Farm Stevens Point, WI 754 44,262 1,873 4.2 1,336 3.0 $7,626 Aged Cows Hoffmans Happy Holsteins LLC Peshtigo, WI 75 LC 39,666 2,285 5.8 1,146 2.9 $7,992Shiloh Dairy Greenleaf, WI 4949 ALTAALLEGRO 41,927 1,810 4.3 1,367 3.3 $7,578Country Aire Farms Greenleaf, WI 5939 BILLION 47,313 1,838 3.9 1,294 2.7 $7,433Shiloh Dairy Greenleaf, WI 4893 ALTAINTRUDER 45,491 1,828 4.0 1,267 2.8 $7,339Verhoef Dairy Colby, WI 79 LYNCH 36,077 1,758 4.9 1,318 3.7 $7,338

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2015 DHI Annual Performance Summary 17


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TOP HERDS BY SIZE AND DOLLAR VALUEM I C H I G A N , I N D I A N A & O H I O

10-74 COWS 1 * Nor-Bert Farms Bremen, IN B 16 29,496 1,469 5.0 1,065 3.6 $6,033 2 Tim & Sandy Verhage Allegan, MI H 71 30,867 1,122 3.6 939 3.0 $4,944 3 Doug & Scott Long Clayton, MI H 70 28,755 1,092 3.8 918 3.2 $4,824 4 Steve Landis Goshen, IN H 27 26,617 1,069 4.0 857 3.2 $4,610 5 * Charles Ramer New Paris, IN X 37 26,502 1,051 4.0 867 3.3 $4,599 6 Tim Baker Byron Center, MI H 72 27,780 1,038 3.7 862 3.1 $4,556 7 * Petro Farms Gobles, MI J 43 25,041 1,048 4.2 841 3.4 $4,523 8 * Bob Baker Hastings, MI H 56 26,567 1,052 4.0 818 3.1 $4,467 9 Calvin Bodeis Mayville,MI H 69 26,615 1,015 3.8 844 3.2 $4,459 10 Dave Klamer Conklin,MI H 50 26,285 1,004 3.8 832 3.2 $4,402 75-149 COWS 1 * Nor-Bert Farms Bremen, IN H 124 31,964 1,453 4.5 1,134 3.5 $6,185 2 Darrell & Bonita Richard Goshen, IN H 80 29,957 1,246 4.2 921 3.1 $5,161 3 * Larry E. Haywood Hastings, MI X 101 30,675 1,099 3.6 958 3.1 $4,947 4 * Ladine Farms Bellevue, MI H 138 33,323 1,092 3.3 963 2.9 $4,943 5 Jeff Knuver Fremont, MI H 147 30,690 1,124 3.7 914 3.0 $4,880 6 Jeff & Alisha Bigler Lakeview, MI H 118 28,115 1,157 4.1 875 3.1 $4,846 7 Mike Lyon Eaton Rapids, MI H 126 29,637 1,088 3.7 911 3.1 $4,795 8 * Jeff Alexander Hanover, MI H 107 30,551 1,018 3.3 964 3.2 $4,790 9 Jonas Zimmerman Wakarusa, IN H 130 27,651 1,152 4.2 848 3.1 $4,762 10 Starward Farms Sebewaing, MI H 90 27,941 1,084 3.9 899 3.2 $4,756 150-299 COWS 1 * E. Kuyers & Sons West Olive, MI H 157 36,656 1,335 3.6 1,154 3.1 $5,983 2 * Dan, Paul & Nate Elzinga Zeeland, MI H 232 31,080 1,154 3.7 956 3.1 $5,059 3 * Doug Westendorp Nashville, MI H 238 33,041 1,092 3.3 1,002 3.0 $5,050 4 * Gordon Dick Mc Bain, MI H 254 32,515 1,132 3.5 944 2.9 $4,977 5 * Pasch MBM Weidman, MI H 280 31,524 1,117 3.5 946 3.0 $4,951 6 Harold Dodde Falmouth, MI H 247 28,935 1,103 3.8 909 3.1 $4,823 7 Dale Brinks Mc Bain, MI H 203 27,896 1,146 4.1 866 3.1 $4,798 T * Ron Brinks Mc Bain, MI H 222 31,533 1,072 3.4 925 2.9 $4,798 9 Sperry Dairy Farm LLC Coldwater, MI H 160 28,363 1,105 3.9 895 3.2 $4,789 10 * First Farms Ionia,MI H 296 32,037 1,036 3.2 940 2.9 $4,761 300-499 COWS 1 * Crandall Farms LLC Battle Creek, MI H 320 31,904 1,152 3.6 977 3.1 $5,111 2 * Bill & Lisa Bowerman Quincy, MI X 350 29,060 1,146 3.9 923 3.2 $4,953 3 * Robert Getzloff Wilson, MI H 483 29,970 1,147 3.8 907 3.0 $4,910 4 * Harry & Gary Sanborn Hubbardston, MI H 460 30,395 1,085 3.6 919 3.0 $4,810 5 * Doug Seiler Carson City, MI H 300 31,195 1,058 3.4 936 3.0 $4,798 6 * Buning Dairy LLC Falmouth, MI H 404 30,668 1,078 3.5 915 3.0 $4,784 7 * Sparks Quaker Acres Fremont, MI X 348 29,757 1,072 3.6 907 3.0 $4,750 8 * Kent Inniger Middleton, MI H 339 29,981 1,069 3.6 900 3.0 $4,724 9 * Rodney Daniels Whittemore, MI H 475 29,058 1,051 3.6 899 3.1 $4,684 10 Earl & Jeff Horning Manchester, MI H 419 29,131 1,054 3.6 890 3.1 $4,666 500-999 COWS 1 * Lew-Max Holstein LLC Belding, MI H 571 32,542 1,205 3.7 984 3.0 $5,243 2 * Wilson Family Farm Carson City, MI H 771 29,860 1,194 4.0 982 3.3 $5,217 3 * Chapin Family Farms Remus, MI H 702 31,522 1,178 3.7 941 3.0 $5,068 4 * Larry E. Haywood Hastings, MI H 928 32,839 1,088 3.3 983 3.0 $4,989 5 * Dick Van Rijn Deford, MI X 703 29,815 1,079 3.6 908 3.0 $4,768 6 * Jeff Brenner Hopkins, MI H 716 28,174 1,103 3.9 842 3.0 $4,640 7 * Bruce & Doug Bloom Coldwater, MI H 648 27,551 1,077 3.9 859 3.1 $4,631 8 * Oesch Swiss Lane Alto, MI H 530 29,106 1,007 3.5 902 3.1 $4,598 9 * Petro Farms Gobles, MI H 870 29,944 997 3.3 904 3.0 $4,581 10 Bob, Mike & Matt Cnossen Falmouth, MI H 542 27,714 1,060 3.8 853 3.1 $4,578 1000+ COWS 1 * Larry E. Haywood Hastings, MI H 1,147 31,382 1,077 3.4 957 3.0 $4,896 2 * Cary Dairy Farm Battle Creek, MI H 1,087 30,758 1,098 3.6 891 2.9 $4,761 3 * Autumn Vista Dairy Mc Bain, MI H 2,111 29,116 1,078 3.7 889 3.1 $4,714 4 * River Ridge Dairy Co.,Inc. Coopersville, MI H 1,389 27,926 1,127 4.0 831 3.0 $4,661 5 * Doug Benthem Mc Bain, MI H 1,109 29,094 1,077 3.7 853 2.9 $4,613 6 * S & M Dairy Harbor Beach, MI X 1,074 26,941 1,018 3.8 891 3.3 $4,593 7 * VDS Fulton Fulton, MI H 2,810 28,301 1,064 3.8 849 3.0 $4,575 8 * Petro Farms Gobles, MI H 1,028 29,463 997 3.4 896 3.0 $4,560 9 * Jeff Shriver & Max Carlson Fremont, MI H 1,502 29,100 1,008 3.5 885 3.0 $4,553 10 * Palms Boys LLC Palms, MI H 1,514 26,429 1,041 3.9 855 3.2 $4,545


Fourth generation dairy producers Jim and Jody Zoromski recognize

how far their family’s dairy farm has come since they were young. “When my brother Jody and I began operating our family’s farm, we had only 125 head,” recalled Jim. “Since then we’ve added another 125 head, a freestall barn, and updated our double eight milking parlor. Many of the advancements we’ve made are due to the consistent management support we receive from our NorthStar specialists, nutritionists and veterinarian.”

Zoromski Family Farms, LLC began using NorthStar Cooperative, Inc. services over 15 years ago when reproduction specialist Gary Schultz moved from a competitor to NorthStar. “We started using NorthStar’s services because we loved Gary,” recalled Jody’s wife Jorja. “However, we stayed with NorthStar because they have consistently done the right things well.”

Today, Zoromski Family Farms, LLC is being awarded the NorthStar Progressive Dairy Producer of the Year Award for their consistent production improvements. Established in 1975, the Progressive Dairy Producer of the Year Award recognizes the herd that has shown the greatest total increase in dollar value over the past five years.

Focusing on high quality cows that produce quality milk, the dairy has increased their Rolling Herd Average (RHA) by over 7,500 pounds of milk in the last five years, while increasing herd size by 59 head for a total of 390 Holstein cows. In five years, the dairy’s total dollar value has increased $1,809.

“Consistent management in reproduction, feeding and animal health is what makes our farm a success,” said Jim. “We’re happy to have many members of NorthStar on our farm because they are another set

of valuable eyes monitoring our herd’s health.”

The entire genetic and reproduction program at Zoromski Family Farms, LLC is placed in the trustworthy hands of Dan Quimby, NorthStar Cooperative reproduction specialist, and the farm’s new Select Mating Service (SMS) evaluator, Scott Schugel. However, Jim gives retired SMS evaluator Dale Sabo a lot of credit for the herd’s improvements in production and genetics.

“Our herd’s success is largely due to the work of Dale Sabo, who was with our farm for many years,” recalled Jim. “Now, all of our breeding and reproduction decisions are delegated between Dan and Scott. I don’t like to micromanage my NorthStar specialists - they’re professionals and I let them do what they’ve been trained to do.”

With a 22 percent pregnancy rate and 42 percent cull rate, the dairy has flexibility within their reproduction program. They breed only the animals that will provide

the greatest increase in production and profit. “Our culling rate has allowed us to be where we are in production pounds,” said Jim. “We are able to take any animal who can’t compete with the rest of the herd off the farm.”

The mating recommendations provided through SMS focus on the dairy’s goals of breeding for quality and longevity, selecting bulls based on low SCC as well as improvers for foot and leg composite. Jim’s daughter Chelsie noted, “We witness the results of what our NorthStar genetic specialists are doing on our farm every day. For example, one of our cows, Spots, is nearly seven years old and she’s still producing great.” Production results like these are also evident as the dairy consistently appears at the top of the Monthly DHI Top Producing Herds Report.

Although Zoromski Family Farms, LLC does not raise show animals, they are recognized for their herd’s quality. “One of the biggest compliments I have ever received came from Dale a few years back,”

ZOROMSKI FAMILY FARMS, LLC2015 PROGRESSIVE DAIRY PRODUCER AWARD WINNER

From left to right: Jim, Jorja and Jody Zoromski


recalled Jim. “He told me ‘This is one of the nicest herds I’ve seen.’ I’m not a show guy, but knowing that our animals are high quality and well cared for makes me really proud of what we have and it also makes me appreciate the role that NorthStar has had in our herd.”

Jody’s daughter Jessica, on the other hand, spent time in the show ring where her family’s animals were admired for their quality as milk cows. “When I showed at the county fair, the judges would always comment on how nice and sound our animals were,” recalled Jessica. “One judge commented on my show animal, ‘She may not be the most feminine, dairy looking heifer in the barn, but she will be a nice sound milking cow once she freshens and enters the milking string.” Today, the judge’s words ring true as two of Jessica’s past show animals are still in the milking string.

“Lola, who is eight, is in her sixth lactation and is due to freshen in May. Dixie, who is seven, was my other show cow and she is due to freshen in December,” said Jessica. “With the improvements our dairy has made in genetics and the way we manage our animals, we can definitely see the longevity in our cattle.”

Zoromski Family Farms, LCC uses Select Sires genetics exclusively for heifers and cows, and all A.I. services are performed by Dan. “Dan stays on top of all of our breeding needs,” stated Jody. With Scott’s mating recommendations, the Zoromskis

are beginning to breed the top third of their animals with gender SELECTed® semen. “The ability to track our most productive and profitable animals has really guided us in our breeding and culling decisions,” Jim said. “As our production increases, we are interested in spending the extra money for sexed semen to ensure future growth.”

The dairy’s veterinarian, Dr. Paul Meagher with United Veterinary Service, checks all animals for pregnancy 26 days post breeding. “What I like most about Dr. Meagher’s bi-weekly herd checks, is that they allow Dan and Dr. Meagher to work together with our animals’ ovulation synchronization. If a cow comes up open, Dan can breed her back without interrupting operation flow.”

Improvements in milk production are not solely due to reproduction as Jody pointed out. “It all starts with what our cows eat,” he said. “When the cows are eating quality feed, they feel comfortable and produce more.”

Reflecting back, Jody recalls a real change in production after the dairy purchased a new self-propelled chopper and invested in a hammer mill to properly process high moisture corn. “When we started producing higher quality feed, our cows produced higher quality milk,” noted Jody. “You reap what you sew.”

To further preserve feed, the dairy wraps bunker walls with a plastic oxygen barrier. “The wrap keeps the feed at the correct moisture content,” said Jim. Along with these modifications to the dairy’s feed quality protocols, Zoromski Family Farms, LLC relies heavily on their local nutritionists and agronomists.

Following the standard of high quality, the dairy’s cows are also held to high standards throughout their lactations. Using NorthStar’s DHI Services since 2009, the dairy utilizes DHI data and PCDART herd management software to help guide management decisions. “The number one

resource we use from our DHI testing is the Somatic Cell Count (SCC) Hotsheet,” Jim noted.

Each month after NorthStar DHI specialist Ashley DeBauch completes testing, the Zoromskis receive an SCC Hotsheet via email, which Jim and Chelsie track in PCDART. “PCDART and PocketDairy are really helpful when an animal is not performing well,” said Chelsie. “I can just pull that cow up in PCDART and quickly see what we’re dealing with.”

By searching for a cow in PCDART, Chelsie has immediate access to that animal’s breeding and health records, SCC and more. “With PocketDairy I can bring up an animal on my cell phone and learn everything I need to know, all while I’m standing in the barn,” she said.

With increasing production, Zoromski Family Farms, LLC is looking forward to future growth. Currently, the dairy is completing a much-needed addition to their existing freestall barn. With an additional 250 feet, the Zoromskis are excited to have freestall space for all of their animals.

“This addition will help a lot with cow comfort,” noted Jim. “We were 75 percent over capacity before the addition. We’re looking forward to bringing all of our pastured animals in, and creating enough space for each animal to feel comfortable and maintain their health.” With this change, the dairy is hoping to create growth within their herd and ultimately reduce their current culling rate.

While the Zoromskis spend time settling into their new space, they will continue to take advantage of new opportunities for increased production and internal growth. Jim added, “With quality feed, improved cow comfort and a strong genetic base, the future looks promising with our consistent managerial team leading the way.”

~ Kailey Sweers

“I don’t like to micromanage my NorthStar specialists - they’re professionals and I let them do what they’ve been trained to do.”

~ Jim Zoromski


PROGRESSIVE DAIRY PRODUCER OF THE YEAR AWARDThe Progressive Dairy Producer of the Year Award is presented to the producer who has shown the greatest total increase in dollar value over the previous five years. All producers using NorthStar’s DHI Services are eligible for this award.

2015 Zoromski Family Farms, Custer, WI 2014 Feltz Family Farm, Steven’s Point, WI

2013 J & D Brenner Farms, Hopkins, MI

2012 Kent Inniger, Middleton, MI

2011 Rosebrugh Dairy, West Branch, MI

2010 Larsen Farms, Scottville, MI

2009 Reid Dairy Farm, Jeddo, MI

2008 Touchdown Dairy, Marion, MI

2007 Randy & Carol Erickson, Bear Creek, WI

2006 River Ridge Dairy, Coopersville, MI

2005 Mibelloon Dairy, St. Louis, MI

2004 John & Andy Sweet, Stockbridge, MI

2003 Crandall Dairy Farms, LCC Battle Creek, MI

2002 Jason Shinn & Sons, Croswell, MI

2001 Perry Cisco, Hudson, MI

2000 Gilde Farms, Lake City, MI

1999 Tim & Sandy VerHage, Allegan, MI

1998 Gross Farms, Weidman, MI

1997 E. Kuyers & Sons, West Olive, MI

1996 Frank Vanderwal, Lake City, MI

1995 Jim Hardy, Saranac, MI

1994 Stamp-Dale Farms, Marlette, MI

1993 Larry & Wayne Webster, Elsie, MI

1992 Earl & Jeff Horning, Manchester, MI

1991 Bush Farms, Swartz Creek, MI

1990 Nobis Dairy, St. Johns, MI

1989 Arndt Farms, Deckerville, MI

1988 Videto Vista Farm, Spring Arbor, MI

1987 Watercrest Farms, Northville, MI

1986 Boge Dairy, Shepherd, MI

1985 Butler Farms, Fowlerville, MI

1984 Stanley Fay, Stockbridge, MI

1983 Edwin Bretschneider Jr. Ludington, MI

1982 John Wykes, Litchfield, MI

1981 Mel & Rod Stofer, Leslie, MI

1980 Louis McNeilly, Barryton, MI

1979 Ken McBroom, Vulcan, MI

1978 Terry & Jean Nugent, Lowell, MI

1977 Dr. Clint Meadows, Hickory Corners, MI

1976 Dorman Stout, Clayton, MI

1975 Richard Wright, Corunna, MI

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TOP HERDS BY SIZE AND DOLLAR VALUEW I S C O N S I N

10-74 COWS 1 * Floyd & Calvin Brandt Bryant, WI X 34 29,020 1,264 4.4 920 3.2 $5,198 2 Jenlar Swiss - Larry & Jennifer Chilton, WI B 13 25,378 1,247 4.9 894 3.5 $5,094 3 Bruce & Brenda Long New London, WI H 54 31,257 1,144 3.7 933 3.0 $4,974 4 * Badger Holsteins Unity, WI X 51 25,048 1,170 4.7 886 3.5 $4,907 5 David & Jane Pescinski Colby, WI H 60 28,672 1,063 3.7 891 3.1 $4,688 6 Don Mielke Menasha, WI J 44 22,091 1,151 5.2 813 3.7 $4,669 7 Hallet Dairy Farm LLC Casco, WI X 16 27,938 1,080 3.9 863 3.1 $4,648 8 Don Mielke Menasha, WI H 21 28,167 1,039 3.7 885 3.1 $4,621 9 Justin & Darci Daniels Hixton, WI H 54 28,311 980 3.5 908 3.2 $4,557 10 * Diedrick Family Farm Chilton, WI H 59 27,737 1,084 3.9 815 2.9 $4,526 75-149 COWS 1 Brantmeier Hilrose Dairy Sherwood, WI H 100 32,626 1,161 3.6 962 2.9 $5,088 2 Andrew & Joan Meyer Chilton, WI H 110 28,045 1,197 4.3 897 3.2 $4,992 3 * Floyd & Calvin Brandt Bryant, WI H 80 30,065 1,188 4.0 894 3.0 $4,963 4 Charles Maurer Chilton, WI H 113 29,962 1,102 3.7 945 3.2 $4,918 5 * Foxland Farms LLC Greenleaf, WI H 117 32,619 1,033 3.2 975 3.0 $4,850 6 John & Dee Winkelman Watertown, WI H 88 27,261 1,068 3.9 869 3.2 $4,640 7 Vil-Edge Farms Fond Du Lac, WI H 88 28,689 1,057 3.7 867 3.0 $4,609 8 Steve Jankowski Withee, WI H 86 27,263 1,066 3.9 857 3.1 $4,603 9 Jeff & Jill Pinter Curtiss, WI H 82 28,252 1,035 3.7 870 3.1 $4,571 10 New-Day Dairy Robert Strack Athens, WI H 78 29,670 998 3.4 895 3.0 $4,559

150-299 COWS 1 * United Pride Dairy LLC Phillips, WI X 169 26,583 1,214 4.6 951 3.6 $5,178 2 * Mark Anderson Waupaca, WI X 211 31,743 1,186 3.7 959 3.0 $5,135 3 * Bob Van Daalwyk Hilbert, WI H 189 31,846 1,135 3.6 977 3.1 $5,075 4 * Verhoef Dairy Colby, WI H 296 30,029 1,117 3.7 938 3.1 $4,931 5 * Brad & Laura Friesen Barron, WI H 213 29,177 1,131 3.9 925 3.2 $4,926 6 * Badger Holsteins Unity, WI H 220 29,115 1,103 3.8 923 3.2 $4,861 7 Charles & Christopher Weber Elmwood, WI H 162 27,679 1,116 4.0 879 3.2 $4,770 8 * Ed Walter Farm Inc. Oshkosh, WI H 226 28,155 1,103 3.9 863 3.1 $4,698 9 Riemer-Sawall Clintonville, WI H 188 26,999 1,064 3.9 841 3.1 $4,555 10 Dennis Blazek Oconto Falls, WI H 174 28,463 985 3.5 896 3.1 $4,535 300-499 COWS 1 * Zoromski Family Farms LLC Custer, WI H 389 34,698 1,389 4.0 1,091 3.1 $5,928 2 * Ledgerock Dairy LLC Larsen, WI H 395 31,120 1,231 4.0 941 3.0 $5,182 3 * Trappers Turn Dairy Scandinavia, WI H 331 31,154 1,108 3.6 961 3.1 $4,974 4 * Dan & Tim Liner Van Dyne, WI H 436 31,289 1,053 3.4 972 3.1 $4,886 5 * Rusk-Rose Holsteins Ladysmith, WI H 339 30,411 1,149 3.8 892 2.9 $4,873 6 * SeehaferAcres Marshfield,WI H 301 29,421 1,154 3.9 858 2.9 $4,792 7 * Dan Madden New London, WI H 401 29,420 1,076 3.7 907 3.1 $4,759 8 * Rick & Connie Schuessler Antigo, WI H 331 29,645 1,067 3.6 912 3.1 $4,753 9 Krzewina Farms Crivitz, WI H 396 32,079 1,028 3.2 942 2.9 $4,749 10 * Abel Acres Inc. Loyal, WI H 310 29,929 1,130 3.8 852 2.8 $4,723 500-999 COWS 1 * Rosy-Lane Holsteins LLC Watertown, WI H 937 31,464 1,356 4.3 1,003 3.2 $5,619 2 Feltz Family Farm Stevens Point, WI H 563 35,976 1,273 3.5 1,063 3.0 $5,601 3 * Wegnerlann Dairy LLC Ettrick, WI H 626 32,746 1,156 3.5 1,002 3.1 $5,187 4 * Brickstead Dairy LLC Greenleaf, WI H 866 32,062 1,176 3.7 978 3.1 $5,165 5 * John & Mark Egan New London, WI H 749 31,730 1,165 3.7 956 3.0 $5,081 6 * Hoffmans Happy Holsteins LLC Peshtigo, WI H 540 31,674 1,138 3.6 929 2.9 $4,950 7 * Blaser Farms Inc. Gillett, WI H 591 30,935 1,139 3.7 912 2.9 $4,906 8 * Dave & Stacy Jauquet Luxemburg, WI H 605 31,093 1,072 3.4 960 3.1 $4,894 9 * Pickart Dairy Malone, WI H 698 30,442 1,122 3.7 904 3.0 $4,848 10 * Micke Dairy LLC Reedsville, WI H 531 30,252 1,051 3.5 905 3.0 $4,699 1000+ COWS 1 * Tag Lane Farm Ixonia, WI H 1,122 31,267 1,255 4.0 1,009 3.2 $5,420 2 * Country Aire Farms Greenleaf, WI H 3,128 32,436 1,228 3.8 964 3.0 $5,238 3 * Shiloh Dairy Greenleaf, WI H 2,328 32,355 1,184 3.7 989 3.1 $5,212 4 * Wayside Dairy Greenleaf, WI H 1,944 30,388 1,239 4.1 943 3.1 $5,206 5 * United Pride Dairy LLC Phillips, WI H 1,979 30,705 1,166 3.8 985 3.2 $5,164 6 * Abel Dairy Farms Fond Du Lac, WI H 1,597 32,024 1,150 3.6 980 3.1 $5,115 7 * Quantum Dairy LLC Weyauwega, WI H 2,360 30,180 1,117 3.7 925 3.1 $4,895 8 * Sugar Creek LLC New London, WI H 1,259 29,736 1,113 3.7 926 3.1 $4,890 9 * Johnson Farm LLC Daggett, MI H 1,633 28,399 1,065 3.8 911 3.2 $4,747 10 * Seidls Mtn View Dairy Luxemburg, WI H 1,131 29,467 1,038 3.5 913 3.1 $4,694


It’s a different ball game today with the current lower milk prices. While producers have relied on DHI testing

for more than 100 years to make management decisions, it isn’t until recently that true profitability could be determined from the data.

Money Corrected Milk (MCM), a feature available in PCDART, is a milk check-based tool that looks beyond production pounds alone, reflecting revenue generated per cow based on how a dairy is paid and feed costs. Available since 2013, using the MCM feature provides producers current, relevant data to make the best decisions to maximize a dairy’s profits.

David Brand, Ariwami Holsteins/Brand Dairy Farm in Waterloo, Indiana and Adam Preston, The Preston Farms in Quincy, Michigan have both been using the MCM for the past two years. In a recent interview they both shared how MCM has helped them make more effective decisions that are positively influencing their dairy’s bottom-line.

How has MCM affected your protocols?

Adam: “We have made changes in both our breeding and culling protocols based on what we learned using MCM. Through this feature we’ve determined that cows who are not profitable in their current lactation, will not become more profitable in future lactations. Knowing this allows us to save money on semen and time that would normally be spent breeding. Our daily culling protocols now consist of looking at cows component-wise, not at production pounds alone. Currently, we sell cows even at three months pregnant if their Income Over Feed Cost (IOFC) is less than $1. These economical decisions are helping build profit for our farm.”

David: “Our breeding protocols have changed according to IOFC and production. Before we began using the MCM feature, we didn’t realize that some of our animals weren’t doing as well as we had thought or hoped. Knowing what we know now, we are able to look deeper into individual animals’ blood lines and choose breeding strategies to increase components. We’re now using more gender SELECTed® semen than before because we know where to delegate our higher priced semen.”

How has IOFC affected the way you look at high producing cows?

Adam: “Our cow groups are fed different rations based on stage of lactation and age. High producing cows with low components, in our high groups, are not as profitable as mid-lactation cows with good components and good milk on a cheaper ration. MCM is a great tool for comparing cows and determining how much each animal is costing us in feed, depending on what ration that animal is receiving.”

TOP PRODUCING COWS ARE MOST PROFITABLE. RIGHT?

David Brand• Ariwami Holsteins

and Brand Dairy Farm, Waterloo, IN

• 400 cows

Adam Preston • The Preston Farm,

Quincy, MI • 700 cows

Looking at MCM, which factors in your milk check data and feed costs, you can quickly see that cow 696, who is milking 20 pounds less than the top producer is more profitable.


David: “The program [MCM] really surprised us on some of our cows. We’re so used to looking at the high producers and connecting them with profit. This program really showed us that a lot of our cows that aren’t at the top of the milk charts are actually a huge asset to our farm.”

What do you like most about the MCM feature?

Adam: “In the past we would pull out the production pounds per cow sheet after test day, and make decisions based off of that alone. Now we wait until components are factored in to see which animals are actually the most valuable and profitable. Last year we had a Jersey who was milking 100 pounds, but after adding in IOFC we found out she was making us about $25 - $30 dollars a day! Just knowing this makes MCM worth the effort of plugging in information and generating reports.”

David: “I really appreciate that the program uses our farm’s actual information and data. Other graphs that measure animal profitability are based on a national scale which makes it difficult to determine where our farm lies within the scale. With the MCM feature, the scale is based entirely off of our information and data.”

Why would you recommend MCM?

Adam: “I’m not sure why anyone wouldn’t utilize this free tool to maximize their farm’s profitability. There is a lot of good information that MCM provides, but I would recommend the program for culling decisions alone. The MCM generated graphs really open your eyes to what is going on within your herd.”

David: “Narrowing in on each individual animal in your herd allows you to make more eff icient business decisions.

Ultimately, a dairy farm’s profitability is reliant on information that the MCM feature provides using your farm’s own data.”

While looking at the high producing cow reports is fun, it is an outdated measurement of per formance. As Adam and David shared, MCM provides substantial, and sometimes surprising information about profitability. With lower milk prices, it’s important now more than ever to dial in on your herd’s profitability. MCM is a standard feature in PCDART that’s easy to use. Talk with your NorthStar DHI Specialist to get started.

~ Kailey Sweers


3X HERD OWNER ADDRESS HERD SIZE MILK FAT FAT % PROT PROT % VALUE

TOP PROTEIN BREED HERDS BY DOLLAR VALUE WISCONSIN

Brown Swiss 1 Jenlar Swiss - Larry & Jennifer Chilton, WI 13 25,378 1,247 4.9 894 3.5 $5,094 2 Twinkle-Hill Brown Swiss Watertown, WI 75 24,571 1,059 4.3 843 3.4 $4,552 3 Garrett & Kelly Holewinski Pulaski, WI 13 23,812 971 4.1 821 3.4 $4,304 4 Jason Weihrouch Melrose, WI 37 19,085 814 4.3 660 3.5 $3,532 5 Brad Dietsche & Family Colfax, WI 52 19,170 775 4.0 670 3.5 $3,475 Jersey 1 Don Mielke Menasha, WI 44 22,091 1,151 5.2 813 3.7 $4,669 2 * Ron & Nicole Wussow Cecil, WI 85 19,828 992 5.0 712 3.6 $4,055 3 Jenks Jersey Farm Marathon City, WI 654 18,664 915 4.9 752 4.0 $4,000 4 Bill Seyller Fond Du Lac, WI 30 18,132 886 4.9 644 3.6 $3,643 5 Twin Oak Farms Dorchester, WI 13 17,010 837 4.9 652 3.8 $3,561 6 Andy Dums Rib Lake, WI 45 17,106 823 4.8 622 3.6 $3,449 7 Spring Creek Farms Inc. Hixton, WI 97 17,277 831 4.8 597 3.5 $3,397 Mixed Breeds 1 * Floyd & Calvin Brandt Bryant, WI 34 29,020 1,264 4.4 920 3.2 $5,198 2 * United Pride Dairy LLC Phillips, WI 169 26,583 1,214 4.6 951 3.6 $5,178 3 * Mark Anderson Waupaca, WI 211 31,743 1,186 3.7 959 3.0 $5,135 4 * Badger Holsteins Unity, WI 51 25,048 1,170 4.7 886 3.5 $4,907 5 Hallet Dairy Farm LLC Casco, WI 16 27,938 1,080 3.9 863 3.1 $4,648 6 * Goodrich Farms LLP New Richmond, WI 23 26,026 951 3.7 859 3.3 $4,363 7 * Maly Farms Bryant, WI 563 26,047 1,002 3.8 810 3.1 $4,338 8 * Goodrich Farms LLP New Richmond, WI 17 25,784 929 3.6 860 3.3 $4,319 9 Auburnvale Swiss Fremont, WI 121 23,577 956 4.1 792 3.4 $4,193 10 Bob & Nancy Johnson Baldwin, WI 13 24,921 955 3.8 775 3.1 $4,143

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Also available: IBC-M: Rapid enumeration of individual bacteria and somatic cells BactoCount Series: Real-time analysis of total Flora drms.org

Ames 515.294.2526Raleigh 919.661.3120


VALUE Brown Swiss 1 Jenlar Swiss - Larry & Jennifer Chilton, WI 13 25,378 1,247 4.9 894 3.5 $5,094 2 Twinkle-Hill Brown Swiss Watertown, WI 75 24,571 1,059 4.3 843 3.4 $4,552 3 Garrett & Kelly Holewinski Pulaski, WI 13 23,812 971 4.1 821 3.4 $4,304 4 Jason Weihrouch Melrose, WI 37 19,085 814 4.3 660 3.5 $3,532 5 Brad Dietsche & Family Colfax, WI 52 19,170 775 4.0 670 3.5 $3,475 Jersey 1 Don Mielke Menasha, WI 44 22,091 1,151 5.2 813 3.7 $4,669 2 * Ron & Nicole Wussow Cecil, WI 85 19,828 992 5.0 712 3.6 $4,055 3 Jenks Jersey Farm Marathon City, WI 654 18,664 915 4.9 752 4.0 $4,000 4 Bill Seyller Fond Du Lac, WI 30 18,132 886 4.9 644 3.6 $3,643 5 Twin Oak Farms Dorchester, WI 13 17,010 837 4.9 652 3.8 $3,561 6 Andy Dums Rib Lake, WI 45 17,106 823 4.8 622 3.6 $3,449 7 Spring Creek Farms Inc. Hixton, WI 97 17,277 831 4.8 597 3.5 $3,397 Mixed Breeds 1 * Floyd & Calvin Brandt Bryant, WI 34 29,020 1,264 4.4 920 3.2 $5,198 2 * United Pride Dairy LLC Phillips, WI 169 26,583 1,214 4.6 951 3.6 $5,178 3 * Mark Anderson Waupaca, WI 211 31,743 1,186 3.7 959 3.0 $5,135 4 * Badger Holsteins Unity, WI 51 25,048 1,170 4.7 886 3.5 $4,907 5 Hallet Dairy Farm LLC Casco, WI 16 27,938 1,080 3.9 863 3.1 $4,648 6 * Goodrich Farms LLP New Richmond, WI 23 26,026 951 3.7 859 3.3 $4,363 7 * Maly Farms Bryant, WI 563 26,047 1,002 3.8 810 3.1 $4,338 8 * Goodrich Farms LLP New Richmond, WI 17 25,784 929 3.6 860 3.3 $4,319 9 Auburnvale Swiss Fremont, WI 121 23,577 956 4.1 792 3.4 $4,193 10 Bob & Nancy Johnson Baldwin, WI 13 24,921 955 3.8 775 3.1 $4,143

Continued on page 28drms.org

Ames 515.294.2526Raleigh 919.661.3120


“They’re protocol people. They dot their I’s and cross their T’s, and that’s why they are getting the results they have.” Those were the first words shared by NorthStar Reproduction Specialist Jim Early about the Liebergen family.

The Liebergens believe strongly in establishing and following protocols. It’s this adherence to the details that has helped Brightside Dairy achieve production levels of 30,437 pounds of milk, 985 pounds of fat and 909 pounds of protein for their 700-cow dairy.

“Anyone can do the big stuff right,” said Conrad Liebergen. “It’s paying attention to the small details and instilling it in your employees that makes the difference.”

A family operation, Conrad, his wife Lisa and their son Brian are involved in day-to-day activities of the farm, while Brian’s wife Connie assists when she’s not working at her off-the-farm job. Together the Liebergens implement a multi-step process to communicate, train, teach and get the results they are looking to achieve with their protocols.

New hire training starts with assigning new employees a mentor – a more experienced employee. From there, one-on-one training and meetings are conducted to teach processes, and employees receive a protocol manual that clearly outlines expectations. “It’s important to make sure we stress what’s important to us,” agreed Conrad and Brian.

Training is ongoing at the dairy as the Liebergens make it a priority to be side by side with employees. “If we see something that could be improved we make it a teaching moment,” stated Brian. “We communicate that we know mistakes will happen. We just ask that employees learn from them and communicate so we can help fix it,” said Conrad. “I am not perfect. I make mistakes.”

This commitment to protocols and people development has helped the dairy through two expansions. Originally an 88-tie stall barn facility, Conrad recalled, “I don’t miss those days.”

In 2001 the dairy went through their first expansion growing to 350 cows, and maintained that herd size for more than 10 years. “During this time we weren’t where we wanted to be with production, somatic cell or cow health,” recalled Conrad, “but anytime we brought in an expert they said ‘be patient, keep doing what you are doing.’ We were sick of hearing it.”

Unsatisfied, Conrad kept searching for answers. Eventually stray voltage was identified as a major hurdle affecting the herd’s performance. “At that time we hired Bill (Matzke) with Matzke Dairy Consulting and from that day forward the herd really took off,” said Conrad. “Our production had plateaued, but as we started to correct the stray voltage problem we saw an immediate response.”

Changes to the herd’s nutrition program also positively impacted the herd’s performance. Conrad recalled, “We met with multiple nutritionists but during an eight hour meeting with Bill we were told we were getting exactly what we were feeding for… ketosis, DA’s, and sore feet. All of which have been eliminated now.”

The Liebergens credit the farm’s feeder, Nathan Brenner, for excellent delivery of the new nutrition program. “Nathan is very detailed, he’s a blessing to this dairy,” agreed Conrad and Brian. Eighty percent of Nathan’s time is dedicated to feed management including sampling feeds, cleaning mangers and waterers, and delivering feed.

“We knew we had to get better before we got bigger,” recalled Conrad. With positive improvements in place, the family began considering another expansion. Brian had worked on the farm through his grade school and high school years and continued working for Brightside after graduating in 2005. In the spring of 2012

BRIGHTSIDE DAIRYPEOPLE AND PROTOCOLS INFLUENCE PROGRESS

From left to right: Brian, Connie, Lisa and Conrad Liebergen.


he decided to try working off the farm but was back full-time by fall of 2013. “I missed it - that’s why I came back,” said Brian. “It’s the best thing I’ve ever done.” Conrad reflected, “With Brian’s return we made the decision to expand in 2014 and never looked back. Technology moves you forward, and you either have to get in or get out.”

In 2014 the dairy completed its most recent expansion to 700-cows during which several cow comfort improvements were made. Mattresses were replaced with sand in the freestalls. The change in bedding, combined with an improved udder prep protocol and implementing an SCC incentive program for employees are all driving factors behind lowering the herds SCC from 150,000 to under 80,000.

“Our milkers get a bonus for low SCC when we do,” said Brian. “We feel it’s a good way to promote teamwork.” Conrad added, “Our team is doing a better job with udder prep and that’s really important.”

Other improvements made during the expansion included making freestalls longer and wider. Reducing group size to 100 – 120 head per pen has reduced time away from feed to less than an hour. During this time, the dairy also went to just–in-time calving. The milkers walk the pens hourly and move cows to the calving pen. “Since making this change we’ve had

“Anyone can do the big stuff right. It’s paying attention to the small details and instilling it in your employees that makes the difference.”

~ Conrad Liebergen

fewer problems with calving and cow health and believe it has helped production,” agreed the Liebergens.

Along with the obvious results of improved production and lower SCC, changes in cow comfort have been reflected in other ways. “Now hoof trimming occurs more for m a i n t e n a n c e t h a n f o r problems,” said Conrad. Brian added, “Very seldom is the vet

here except for our routine herd health every other week.”

Working with the dairy for 17 years, NorthStar Reproduction Specialist Jim Early tail chalks the herd daily and performs the breeding. The reproduction program includes a combination of tail chalk and Ovsynch. Starting with a 73-day voluntary waiting period, the dairy has an annual average 21-day pregnancy rate of 27 percent. With a program like this, more than 60 percent of the herd is currently pregnant, giving the Liebergens the opportunity to cull for other reasons.

Paul Swanson, NorthStar DHI Specialist, pulls milk samples monthly and the Liebergens depend on accurate DHI data for production, SCC, culling, breeding and herd health decisions. “Previously we weren’t able to cull for production; cows went for health reasons,” said Conrad. “It wasn’t my choice, it was theirs. But now we are in a different spot.”

Having the right people in the right place is important to progress. “We surround ourselves with professionals because we can’t be an expert on everything,” agreed Conrad and Brian. Along with Matzke Dairy Consulting, Brightside Dairy has a vast network of professionals they work with including NorthStar Cooperative for breeding and genetic decisions and DHI testing; Dr. Fred Ballweg of Valley

Veterinary Clinic for veterinarian care and consulting, Pat Knowles for financial consulting and Tilth Agronomy.

Following protocols may not always prevent problems from happening, but more often than not they do. The Liebergens’ strict adherence to protocols and people development has definitely proven to be a successful combination as Brightside Dairy has increased milk production by 1,000 pounds each year for the past five years.

~ Kelly Bristle


Ayrshire 1 * Nor-Bert Farms Bremen, IN 11 21,573 1,021 4.7 757 3.5 $4,238 Brown Swiss 1 * Nor-Bert Farms Bremen, IN 16 29,496 1,469 5.0 1,065 3.6 $6,033 2 Gary & Cory Nielsen Coral, MI 18 20,413 839 4.1 707 3.5 $3,713 3 * Green Meadow Farms Inc. Elsie, MI 43 20,914 802 3.8 680 3.3 $3,559 4 Thad Coning Goshen, IN 150 18,633 782 4.2 638 3.4 $3,403 5 Randy & Cindy Dragt Howard City, MI 12 18,543 768 4.1 645 3.5 $3,393 6 * K D Carnahan Farms Inc Butler, IN 19 18,692 737 3.9 641 3.4 $3,315 7 Dean Kronk Elkhart, IN 14 18,525 711 3.8 657 3.5 $3,303 Guernsey 1 Verl A Weaver Goshen, IN 31 20,861 1,063 5.1 701 3.4 $4,175 Jersey 1 * Petro Farms Gobles, MI 43 25,041 1,048 4.2 841 3.4 $4,523 2 * Larry E. Haywood Hastings, MI 111 20,765 979 4.7 756 3.6 $4,146 3 * D & P Dairy Marlette, MI 18 21,256 981 4.6 718 3.4 $4,046 4 * Susan Green Elsie, MI 65 19,211 872 4.5 712 3.7 $3,798 5 * Walnutdale Farms Wayland, MI 679 17,946 897 5.0 668 3.7 $3,732 6 John & Delores Dunks Union City, MI 132 18,636 865 4.6 680 3.6 $3,696 7 Lyle Borkholder Nappanee, IN 99 18,392 874 4.8 658 3.6 $3,655 8 * Michael Heckaman Argos, IN 182 16,697 823 4.9 612 3.7 $3,422 9 * Richlo Dairy Farms Engadine, MI 37 17,787 764 4.3 640 3.6 $3,371 Mixed Breeds 1 * Bill & Lisa Bowerman Quincy, MI 350 29,060 1,146 3.9 923 3.2 $4,953 2 * Larry E. Haywood Hastings, MI 101 30,675 1,099 3.6 958 3.1 $4,947 3 * Dick Van Rijn Deford, MI 703 29,815 1,079 3.6 908 3.0 $4,768 4 * Sparks Quaker Acres Fremont, MI 348 29,757 1,072 3.6 907 3.0 $4,750 5 * S & M Dairy Harbor Beach, MI 432 26,853 1,027 3.8 892 3.3 $4,615 7 * Charles Ramer New Paris, IN 37 26,502 1,051 4.0 867 3.3 $4,599 8 * Laeder Dairy Harbor Beach, MI 373 29,060 1,015 3.5 891 3.1 $4,585 9 * Tony Rosbrugh West Branch, MI 600 28,487 1,013 3.6 866 3.0 $4,513 10 * Kent Folkema Fremont, MI 1,312 27,659 1,002 3.6 868 3.1 $4,495 11 * Arden & Nicholas Eadie Conklin, MI 472 27,512 999 3.6 851 3.1 $4,443 12 * Petro Farms Gobles, MI 115 27,352 983 3.6 854 3.1 $4,417 13 * Messing Dairy Bad Axe, MI 264 25,440 987 3.9 848 3.3 $4,411 14 Bruce Martin Whittemore, MI 140 25,555 1,002 3.9 833 3.3 $4,402 15 Fisk Farms Sand Lake, MI 206 26,005 966 3.7 831 3.2 $4,319 16 * Cole Apple Farm Bancroft, MI 40 25,324 996 3.9 805 3.2 $4,312 17 Elder Creek Farms Springport, MI 53 24,540 937 3.8 824 3.4 $4,239 18 * Chris & Mike Rasmussen Edmore, MI 847 26,985 917 3.4 832 3.1 $4,215 19 Seth Ponstein Hamilton, MI 81 25,987 925 3.6 790 3.0 $4,119 20 Tracy & Theresa Sohn North Branch, MI 118 24,564 925 3.8 787 3.2 $4,112 21 Elder Creek Farms Springport, MI 137 24,186 892 3.7 795 3.3 $4,063 22 Carter Farms LLC Crystal, MI 111 25,465 872 3.4 809 3.2 $4,058

3X HERD OWNER ADDRESS HERD SIZE MILK FAT FAT % PROT PROT % VALUE

TOP PROTEIN BREED HERDS BY DOLLAR VALUEM I C H I G A N , I N D I A N A & O H I O


Ayrshire 1 * Nor-Bert Farms Bremen, IN 11 21,573 1,021 4.7 757 3.5 $4,238 Brown Swiss 1 * Nor-Bert Farms Bremen, IN 16 29,496 1,469 5.0 1,065 3.6 $6,033 2 Gary & Cory Nielsen Coral, MI 18 20,413 839 4.1 707 3.5 $3,713 3 * Green Meadow Farms Inc. Elsie, MI 43 20,914 802 3.8 680 3.3 $3,559 4 Thad Coning Goshen, IN 150 18,633 782 4.2 638 3.4 $3,403 5 Randy & Cindy Dragt Howard City, MI 12 18,543 768 4.1 645 3.5 $3,393 6 * K D Carnahan Farms Inc Butler, IN 19 18,692 737 3.9 641 3.4 $3,315 7 Dean Kronk Elkhart, IN 14 18,525 711 3.8 657 3.5 $3,303 Guernsey 1 Verl A Weaver Goshen, IN 31 20,861 1,063 5.1 701 3.4 $4,175 Jersey 1 * Petro Farms Gobles, MI 43 25,041 1,048 4.2 841 3.4 $4,523 2 * Larry E. Haywood Hastings, MI 111 20,765 979 4.7 756 3.6 $4,146 3 * D & P Dairy Marlette, MI 18 21,256 981 4.6 718 3.4 $4,046 4 * Susan Green Elsie, MI 65 19,211 872 4.5 712 3.7 $3,798 5 * Walnutdale Farms Wayland, MI 679 17,946 897 5.0 668 3.7 $3,732 6 John & Delores Dunks Union City, MI 132 18,636 865 4.6 680 3.6 $3,696 7 Lyle Borkholder Nappanee, IN 99 18,392 874 4.8 658 3.6 $3,655 8 * Michael Heckaman Argos, IN 182 16,697 823 4.9 612 3.7 $3,422 9 * Richlo Dairy Farms Engadine, MI 37 17,787 764 4.3 640 3.6 $3,371 Mixed Breeds 1 * Bill & Lisa Bowerman Quincy, MI 350 29,060 1,146 3.9 923 3.2 $4,953 2 * Larry E. Haywood Hastings, MI 101 30,675 1,099 3.6 958 3.1 $4,947 3 * Dick Van Rijn Deford, MI 703 29,815 1,079 3.6 908 3.0 $4,768 4 * Sparks Quaker Acres Fremont, MI 348 29,757 1,072 3.6 907 3.0 $4,750 5 * S & M Dairy Harbor Beach, MI 432 26,853 1,027 3.8 892 3.3 $4,615 7 * Charles Ramer New Paris, IN 37 26,502 1,051 4.0 867 3.3 $4,599 8 * Laeder Dairy Harbor Beach, MI 373 29,060 1,015 3.5 891 3.1 $4,585 9 * Tony Rosbrugh West Branch, MI 600 28,487 1,013 3.6 866 3.0 $4,513 10 * Kent Folkema Fremont, MI 1,312 27,659 1,002 3.6 868 3.1 $4,495 11 * Arden & Nicholas Eadie Conklin, MI 472 27,512 999 3.6 851 3.1 $4,443 12 * Petro Farms Gobles, MI 115 27,352 983 3.6 854 3.1 $4,417 13 * Messing Dairy Bad Axe, MI 264 25,440 987 3.9 848 3.3 $4,411 14 Bruce Martin Whittemore, MI 140 25,555 1,002 3.9 833 3.3 $4,402 15 Fisk Farms Sand Lake, MI 206 26,005 966 3.7 831 3.2 $4,319 16 * Cole Apple Farm Bancroft, MI 40 25,324 996 3.9 805 3.2 $4,312 17 Elder Creek Farms Springport, MI 53 24,540 937 3.8 824 3.4 $4,239 18 * Chris & Mike Rasmussen Edmore, MI 847 26,985 917 3.4 832 3.1 $4,215 19 Seth Ponstein Hamilton, MI 81 25,987 925 3.6 790 3.0 $4,119 20 Tracy & Theresa Sohn North Branch, MI 118 24,564 925 3.8 787 3.2 $4,112 21 Elder Creek Farms Springport, MI 137 24,186 892 3.7 795 3.3 $4,063 22 Carter Farms LLC Crystal, MI 111 25,465 872 3.4 809 3.2 $4,058

It’s more than just a MILK SAMPLE... it’s a wealth of information that impacts your herd’s productivity, health, sustainability and profitability.

With more than a dozen tests for production, disease and reproduction we can translate the MILK SAMPLE into an information hub for individual animals, groups, or the whole herd.

Talk to your NorthStar Specialist to learn more.

Give it the attention it deserves.

• MUN • Johne’s • Leukosis • BVD • Neospora • Progesterone

• Pregnancy • Fat • Protein • SCC • Mastitis


Ayrshire Nor-Bert Farms Bremen, IN BABIE DREAMER Jr 2 yr. 24,858 1,228 4.9 861 3.5 $4,963 Petro Farms Gobles, MI 7629 BALTIMORE Sr 2 yr. 24,322 944 3.9 767 3.2 $4,098 Nor-Bert Farms Bremen, IN CLEO DOUBLWHAMMY Jr 3 yr. 27,174 1,209 4.4 965 3.6 $5,205 Nor-Bert Farms Bremen, IN MARGE BENJAMIN Sr 3 yr. 30,593 1,335 4.4 973 3.2 $5,493 Nor-Bert Farms Bremen, IN RUBY RENO 4 yr. 27,941 1,221 4.4 964 3.5 $5,227 Dan & Larry Minnis Dansville, MI 775 5 yr. 27,431 1,000 3.6 862 3.1 $4,475 Nor-Bert Farms Bremen, IN TUESDAY BB KELLOG Aged 30,972 1,298 4.2 1,079 3.5 $5,704 Brown Swiss Nor-Bert Farms Bremen, IN SBEATY TANBARK Jr 2yr. 29,930 1,642 5.5 1,096 3.7 $6,488 Petro Farms Gobles, MI 7366 ADAPTIC Sr 2 yr. 33,110 1,120 3.4 1,049 3.2 $5,238 Nor-Bert Farms Bremen, IN WHISPER VIGOR Jr 3 yr. 32,001 1,467 4.6 1,166 3.6 $6,303 Sparks Quaker Acres Fremont, MI 12005 PERFECTA (CM) Sr 3 yr. 29,319 1,410 4.8 983 3.4 $5,682 Nor-Bert Farms Bremen, IN LANG SECRET 4 yr. 40,817 2,080 5.1 1,444 3.5 $8,368 Joe Ensz Middleton, MI 4016 5 yr. 33,850 1,236 3.7 1,069 3.2 $5,541 Nor-Bert Farms Bremen, IN TORA PRUNKI Aged 30,821 1,529 5.0 1,108 3.6 $6,278 Guernsey Verl A Weaver Goshen, IN MAGIC YOGIBEAR Sr 2 yr. 18,044 1,133 6.3 677 3.8 $4,262 Verl A Weaver Goshen, IN QUEST MENTOR Jr 3 yr. 21,372 1,489 7.0 738 3.5 $5,189 Verl A Weaver Goshen, IN MARGERT TILLER Sr 3 yr. 24,256 1,005 4.1 714 2.9 $4,083 Verl A Weaver Goshen, IN ARMINA MAGICMAN 4 yr. 23,662 1,506 6.4 781 3.3 $5,340 Thurow Farms, LLC Scottville, MI 421 5 yr. 27,520 1,227 4.5 891 3.2 $5,040 Verl A Weaver Goshen, IN CUBIE LES Aged 21,402 1,312 6.1 796 3.7 $4,968 Jersey Petro Farms Gobles, MI 7876 BLADE Jr 2 yr. 25,437 1,099 4.3 843 3.3 $4,637 Petro Farms Gobles,MI 8061 VALERO Jr 2 yr. 21,633 1,087 5.0 745 3.4 $4,347 Walnutdale Farms Wayland, MI 6729 ARON Sr 2 yr. 21,484 1,366 6.4 884 4.1 $5,325 Susan Green Elsie, MI PLUSH ACADEMY Sr 2 yr. 26,564 1,204 4.5 936 3.5 $5,115 Larry E. Haywood Hastings, MI 5930 FOREST Jr 3 yr. 26,578 1,180 4.4 965 3.6 $5,143 Nor-Bert Farms Bremen, IN 248 LOUIE Jr 3 yr. 27,996 1,182 4.2 959 3.4 $5,130 Preston Farms Quincy, MI 29 VALENTINO Sr 3 yr. 27,707 1,467 5.3 1,038 3.7 $5,957 Walnutdale Farms Wayland, MI 5711 LELAND Sr 3 yr. 25,519 1,203 4.7 931 3.6 $5,101 Walnutdale Farms Wayland, MI 4752 LEXINGTON 4 yr. 23,095 1,409 6.1 916 4.0 $5,503 Michael Heckaman Argos, IN RPATAND 4 yr. 27,047 1,292 4.8 963 3.6 $5,377 Walnutdale Farms Wayland, MI 3417 5 yr. 25,207 1,445 5.7 932 3.7 $5,622 Herrema Dairy Fair Oaks, IN 12635 APPARITION 5 yr. 26,620 1,352 5.1 1,004 3.8 $5,618 Roger Deters Fremont, MI 2137 Aged 32,062 1,355 4.2 1,077 3.4 $5,819 Michael Heckaman Argos, IN HOPE PAYTEN MANNING Aged 24,473 1,476 6.0 949 3.9 $5,736 Milking Shorthorn Petro Farms Gobles, MI 86 Jr 2 yr. 26,953 902 3.3 815 3.0 $4,137 Petro Farms Gobles, MI 199 Jr 3 yr. 26,300 940 3.6 879 3.3 $4,394 D & P Dairy Marlette, MI 2288 SAM Sr 3 yr. 31,252 940 3.0 806 2.6 $4,189 Cal & Barb Marshall Lupton, MI 437 4 yr. 25,769 946 3.7 804 3.1 $4,202 Thad Coning Goshen, IN 929 C.D. Aged 31,691 1,122 3.5 949 3.0 $4,970 Red & White River Ridge Dairy Co.,Inc. Coopersville, MI 2155 MACKINAW *RC Jr 2 yr. 33,464 1,328 4.0 966 2.9 $5,456 Arden & Nicholas Eadie Conklin, MI 4376 Sr 2 yr. 30,257 1,306 4.3 1,010 3.3 $5,533 River Ridge Dairy Co.,Inc. Coopersville, MI 1327 Jr 3 yr. 29,705 1,729 5.8 990 3.3 $6,384 Arden & Nicholas Eadie Conklin, MI 4008 Sr 3 yr. 30,491 1,272 4.2 997 3.3 $5,424 River Ridge Dairy Co.,Inc. Coopersville, MI 9990 4 yr. 29,490 1,714 5.8 968 3.3 $6,292 River Ridge Dairy Co.,Inc. Coopersville, MI 95 SIDNEY-RED 5 yr. 35,183 1,653 4.7 1,047 3.0 $6,372 Arden & Nicholas Eadie Conklin, MI 3532 Aged 38,749 1,335 3.4 1,117 2.9 $5,879

HERD OWNER ADDRESS COW ID SIRE ID AGE MILK FAT FAT % PROT PROT %

TOP DOLLAR VALUE PROTEIN BREED COWS BY AGEM I C H I G A N , I N D I A N A & O H I O 3 0 5 D A Y L A C T A T I O N S

VALUE

800.631.3510 u www.northstarcooperative.com®CowManager is a registered trademark of Agis Automatisering.

Smartphone app identifies cows on the alert list as you walk behind them.find my cow

Monitors activity, eating time, rumination and temperature

Saves valuable time and money

SensOor ear tag, no collars or batteries to change

Easy installation – plug and play

Solid state equipment with a five-year warranty

fertility health nutrition

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

The OnlY system to make locating cows on the alert list easy!

full page cow manager NorthStar.indd 1 11/5/2014 2:25:05 PM


Ayrshire Nor-Bert Farms Bremen, IN BABIE DREAMER Jr 2 yr. 24,858 1,228 4.9 861 3.5 $4,963 Petro Farms Gobles, MI 7629 BALTIMORE Sr 2 yr. 24,322 944 3.9 767 3.2 $4,098 Nor-Bert Farms Bremen, IN CLEO DOUBLWHAMMY Jr 3 yr. 27,174 1,209 4.4 965 3.6 $5,205 Nor-Bert Farms Bremen, IN MARGE BENJAMIN Sr 3 yr. 30,593 1,335 4.4 973 3.2 $5,493 Nor-Bert Farms Bremen, IN RUBY RENO 4 yr. 27,941 1,221 4.4 964 3.5 $5,227 Dan & Larry Minnis Dansville, MI 775 5 yr. 27,431 1,000 3.6 862 3.1 $4,475 Nor-Bert Farms Bremen, IN TUESDAY BB KELLOG Aged 30,972 1,298 4.2 1,079 3.5 $5,704 Brown Swiss Nor-Bert Farms Bremen, IN SBEATY TANBARK Jr 2yr. 29,930 1,642 5.5 1,096 3.7 $6,488 Petro Farms Gobles, MI 7366 ADAPTIC Sr 2 yr. 33,110 1,120 3.4 1,049 3.2 $5,238 Nor-Bert Farms Bremen, IN WHISPER VIGOR Jr 3 yr. 32,001 1,467 4.6 1,166 3.6 $6,303 Sparks Quaker Acres Fremont, MI 12005 PERFECTA (CM) Sr 3 yr. 29,319 1,410 4.8 983 3.4 $5,682 Nor-Bert Farms Bremen, IN LANG SECRET 4 yr. 40,817 2,080 5.1 1,444 3.5 $8,368 Joe Ensz Middleton, MI 4016 5 yr. 33,850 1,236 3.7 1,069 3.2 $5,541 Nor-Bert Farms Bremen, IN TORA PRUNKI Aged 30,821 1,529 5.0 1,108 3.6 $6,278 Guernsey Verl A Weaver Goshen, IN MAGIC YOGIBEAR Sr 2 yr. 18,044 1,133 6.3 677 3.8 $4,262 Verl A Weaver Goshen, IN QUEST MENTOR Jr 3 yr. 21,372 1,489 7.0 738 3.5 $5,189 Verl A Weaver Goshen, IN MARGERT TILLER Sr 3 yr. 24,256 1,005 4.1 714 2.9 $4,083 Verl A Weaver Goshen, IN ARMINA MAGICMAN 4 yr. 23,662 1,506 6.4 781 3.3 $5,340 Thurow Farms, LLC Scottville, MI 421 5 yr. 27,520 1,227 4.5 891 3.2 $5,040 Verl A Weaver Goshen, IN CUBIE LES Aged 21,402 1,312 6.1 796 3.7 $4,968 Jersey Petro Farms Gobles, MI 7876 BLADE Jr 2 yr. 25,437 1,099 4.3 843 3.3 $4,637 Petro Farms Gobles,MI 8061 VALERO Jr 2 yr. 21,633 1,087 5.0 745 3.4 $4,347 Walnutdale Farms Wayland, MI 6729 ARON Sr 2 yr. 21,484 1,366 6.4 884 4.1 $5,325 Susan Green Elsie, MI PLUSH ACADEMY Sr 2 yr. 26,564 1,204 4.5 936 3.5 $5,115 Larry E. Haywood Hastings, MI 5930 FOREST Jr 3 yr. 26,578 1,180 4.4 965 3.6 $5,143 Nor-Bert Farms Bremen, IN 248 LOUIE Jr 3 yr. 27,996 1,182 4.2 959 3.4 $5,130 Preston Farms Quincy, MI 29 VALENTINO Sr 3 yr. 27,707 1,467 5.3 1,038 3.7 $5,957 Walnutdale Farms Wayland, MI 5711 LELAND Sr 3 yr. 25,519 1,203 4.7 931 3.6 $5,101 Walnutdale Farms Wayland, MI 4752 LEXINGTON 4 yr. 23,095 1,409 6.1 916 4.0 $5,503 Michael Heckaman Argos, IN RPATAND 4 yr. 27,047 1,292 4.8 963 3.6 $5,377 Walnutdale Farms Wayland, MI 3417 5 yr. 25,207 1,445 5.7 932 3.7 $5,622 Herrema Dairy Fair Oaks, IN 12635 APPARITION 5 yr. 26,620 1,352 5.1 1,004 3.8 $5,618 Roger Deters Fremont, MI 2137 Aged 32,062 1,355 4.2 1,077 3.4 $5,819 Michael Heckaman Argos, IN HOPE PAYTEN MANNING Aged 24,473 1,476 6.0 949 3.9 $5,736 Milking Shorthorn Petro Farms Gobles, MI 86 Jr 2 yr. 26,953 902 3.3 815 3.0 $4,137 Petro Farms Gobles, MI 199 Jr 3 yr. 26,300 940 3.6 879 3.3 $4,394 D & P Dairy Marlette, MI 2288 SAM Sr 3 yr. 31,252 940 3.0 806 2.6 $4,189 Cal & Barb Marshall Lupton, MI 437 4 yr. 25,769 946 3.7 804 3.1 $4,202 Thad Coning Goshen, IN 929 C.D. Aged 31,691 1,122 3.5 949 3.0 $4,970 Red & White River Ridge Dairy Co.,Inc. Coopersville, MI 2155 MACKINAW *RC Jr 2 yr. 33,464 1,328 4.0 966 2.9 $5,456 Arden & Nicholas Eadie Conklin, MI 4376 Sr 2 yr. 30,257 1,306 4.3 1,010 3.3 $5,533 River Ridge Dairy Co.,Inc. Coopersville, MI 1327 Jr 3 yr. 29,705 1,729 5.8 990 3.3 $6,384 Arden & Nicholas Eadie Conklin, MI 4008 Sr 3 yr. 30,491 1,272 4.2 997 3.3 $5,424 River Ridge Dairy Co.,Inc. Coopersville, MI 9990 4 yr. 29,490 1,714 5.8 968 3.3 $6,292 River Ridge Dairy Co.,Inc. Coopersville, MI 95 SIDNEY-RED 5 yr. 35,183 1,653 4.7 1,047 3.0 $6,372 Arden & Nicholas Eadie Conklin, MI 3532 Aged 38,749 1,335 3.4 1,117 2.9 $5,879

VALUE

800.631.3510 u www.northstarcooperative.com®CowManager is a registered trademark of Agis Automatisering.

Smartphone app identifies cows on the alert list as you walk behind them.find my cow

Monitors activity, eating time, rumination and temperature

Saves valuable time and money

SensOor ear tag, no collars or batteries to change

Easy installation – plug and play

Solid state equipment with a five-year warranty

fertility health nutrition

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

The OnlY system to make locating cows on the alert list easy!

full page cow manager NorthStar.indd 1 11/5/2014 2:25:05 PM


HERD OWNER ADDRESS COW ID SIRE ID AGE MILK FAT FAT % PROT PROT % VALUE

TOP DOLLAR VALUE PROTEIN BREED COWS BY AGEW I S C O N S I N

3 0 5 D A Y L A C T A T I O N S

Ayrshire Garrett & Kelly Holewinski Pulaski, WI JILL Jr 2 yr. 25,325 1,144 4.5 891 3.5 $4,865 Garrett & Kelly Holewinski Pulaski, WI JAN MODEM Sr 2 yr. 24,613 1,166 4.7 858 3.5 $4,822 Tim Busch Cecil, WI DAWN BENEVOLA Jr 3 yr. 21,871 895 4.1 771 3.5 $4,006 Tim Busch Cecil, WI DRMBOAT PARDNER Sr 3 yr. 21,188 897 4.2 667 3.1 $3,727 Jacobs Hillview Dairy Inc. Hilbert, WI 10022 PASSELI *TF 4 yr. 30,342 978 3.2 957 3.2 $4,685 Tim Busch Cecil, WI BLUE PARDNER 5 yr. 23,019 993 4.3 735 3.2 $4,117 Zinke Dairy Farms LLC Brownsville, WI 1045 EAGLE Aged 28,939 1,355 4.7 835 2.9 $5,160 Brown Swiss Shiloh Dairy Greenleaf, WI 8189 BROOKINGS Jr 2 yr. 29,464 1,423 4.8 1,052 3.6 $5,899 Goodrich Farms LLP New Richmond, WI 3688 POWER SURGE Sr 2 yr. 25,446 1,021 4.0 935 3.7 $4,722 Twinkle-Hill Brown Swiss Watertown, WI 719 AGIO Jr 3 yr. 30,473 1,453 4.8 1,029 3.4 $5,899 Kohlman Dairy LLC Chilton, WI 685 BRINKS Sr 3 yr. 36,726 1,361 3.7 1,147 3.1 $6,019 Shiloh Dairy Greenleaf, WI 316 AGENDA 4 yr. 36,234 1,653 4.6 1,227 3.4 $6,864 Jenlar Swiss - Larry & Jennifer Chilton, WI CICI AGENDA 5 yr. 26,770 1,387 5.2 973 3.6 $5,608 Jenlar Swiss - Larry & Jennifer Chilton, WI TREAT DYNASTY Aged 31,497 1,576 5.0 1,045 3.3 $6,206 Guernsey Bob & Nancy Johnson Baldwin, WI VIOLETG Jr 2 yr. 20,247 802 4.0 596 2.9 $3,330 Dan & Gina Stokes Omro, WI DUMBO Sr 3 yr. 16,446 903 5.5 558 3.4 $3,446 Seth Hunt Barron, WI TUTU HUDSON 5 yr. 17,255 842 4.9 590 3.4 $3,402 Dale & Becky Voelz Leopolis, WI GDLOOKN CHALLENGE Aged 18,375 988 5.4 725 3.9 $4,083 Jersey Shiloh Dairy Greenleaf, WI 8500 SAM Jr 2 yr. 24,431 1,479 6.1 955 3.9 $5,758 Shiloh Dairy Greenleaf, WI 8601 SAM Jr 2 yr. 24,435 1,370 5.6 927 3.8 $5,448 Hallet Dairy Farm LLC Casco, WI 1188 VERMEER Sr 2 yr. 26,057 1,416 5.4 861 3.3 $5,364 Country Aire Farms Greenleaf, WI 10418 VITO Sr 2 yr. 26,722 1,305 4.9 857 3.2 $5,115 Mike Van Rossum Kaukauna, WI 2250 Jr 3 yr. 28,875 1,442 5.0 1,014 3.5 $5,836 Shiloh Dairy Greenleaf, WI 7169 LENCREST Jr 3 yr. 25,167 1,395 5.5 953 3.8 $5,572 Jenks Jersey Farm Marathon City, WI 2230 Sr 3 yr. 28,000 1,411 5.0 1,082 3.9 $5,957 Hallet Dairy Farm LLC Casco, WI 1152 APPARITION Sr 3 yr. 25,704 1,520 5.9 918 3.6 $5,744 Jenks Jersey Farm Marathon City, WI 2042 MARSHALL 4 yr. 32,660 1,424 4.4 1,266 3.9 $6,484 Ron & Nicole Wussow Cecil, WI 201 BARBARIAN 4 yr. 30,893 1,530 5.0 1,150 3.7 $6,395 United Pride Dairy LLC Phillips, WI 9187 5 yr. 28,368 1,361 4.8 974 3.4 $5,554 Country Aire Farms Greenleaf, WI 8043 ROULETTE 5 yr. 29,515 1,360 4.6 970 3.3 $5,540 Don Mielke Menasha, WI TAMARA JACE Aged 22,549 1,463 6.5 914 4.1 $5,614 Country Aire Farms Greenleaf, WI 6089 COLE-P Aged 33,446 1,301 3.9 1,008 3.0 $5,513 Milking Shorthorn Landstad Dairy LLC Bonduel, WI 2998 NITRO EXP Sr 2 yr. 24,500 860 3.5 743 3.0 $3,852 Landstad Dairy LLC Bonduel, WI 2975 NITRO EXP Jr 3 yr. 21,930 793 3.6 656 3.0 $3,473 Roger Kaufman Melrose, WI 126 4 yr. 18,446 782 4.2 680 3.7 $3,519 Twin Oak Farms Dorchester, WI APRICOT KING Aged 22,931 982 4.3 754 3.3 $4,145 Red & White Hinz Farm LLC Pickett, WI 671 SATCHEL-RED Jr 2 yr. 26,171 1,208 4.6 855 3.3 $4,902 James & Joseph Rieden Mount Calvary, WI 1127 LOGAN-RED Sr 2 yr. 33,561 1,204 3.6 1,032 3.1 $5,371 Micke Dairy LLC Reedsville, WI 2898 MILAN Jr 3 yr. 38,793 1,284 3.3 1,167 3.0 $5,907 Micke Dairy LLC Reedsville, WI 2757 DEBONAIR-RED Sr 3 yr. 36,381 1,294 3.6 1,074 3.0 $5,676 Micke Dairy LLC Reedsville, WI 2518 4 yr. 31,246 1,351 4.3 996 3.2 $5,590 Wilstar Holsteins Pine River, WI CAROSEL ADVENT-RED 5 yr. 41,145 1,949 4.7 1,249 3.0 $7,553 Red Beech Dairy Reedsville, WI 2959 Aged 24,740 1,359 5.5 843 3.4 $5,194

Test to know.

HERD OWNER

Raise ‘em RightDay 1 Day 2-20 Day 21+

orDay 21+Day 2-20

Convert ImmPower TBC Colostrum Replacer. Made from true bovine colostrum.

Convert Day-One Calf Gel supplements maternal colostrum. Add Convert Powder to milk or milk

replacer. For calves transitioning from milk to grain and up to breeding.


VALUE

TOP DOLLAR VALUE PROTEIN BREED COWS BY AGEW I S C O N S I N

Ayrshire Garrett & Kelly Holewinski Pulaski, WI JILL Jr 2 yr. 25,325 1,144 4.5 891 3.5 $4,865 Garrett & Kelly Holewinski Pulaski, WI JAN MODEM Sr 2 yr. 24,613 1,166 4.7 858 3.5 $4,822 Tim Busch Cecil, WI DAWN BENEVOLA Jr 3 yr. 21,871 895 4.1 771 3.5 $4,006 Tim Busch Cecil, WI DRMBOAT PARDNER Sr 3 yr. 21,188 897 4.2 667 3.1 $3,727 Jacobs Hillview Dairy Inc. Hilbert, WI 10022 PASSELI *TF 4 yr. 30,342 978 3.2 957 3.2 $4,685 Tim Busch Cecil, WI BLUE PARDNER 5 yr. 23,019 993 4.3 735 3.2 $4,117 Zinke Dairy Farms LLC Brownsville, WI 1045 EAGLE Aged 28,939 1,355 4.7 835 2.9 $5,160 Brown Swiss Shiloh Dairy Greenleaf, WI 8189 BROOKINGS Jr 2 yr. 29,464 1,423 4.8 1,052 3.6 $5,899 Goodrich Farms LLP New Richmond, WI 3688 POWER SURGE Sr 2 yr. 25,446 1,021 4.0 935 3.7 $4,722 Twinkle-Hill Brown Swiss Watertown, WI 719 AGIO Jr 3 yr. 30,473 1,453 4.8 1,029 3.4 $5,899 Kohlman Dairy LLC Chilton, WI 685 BRINKS Sr 3 yr. 36,726 1,361 3.7 1,147 3.1 $6,019 Shiloh Dairy Greenleaf, WI 316 AGENDA 4 yr. 36,234 1,653 4.6 1,227 3.4 $6,864 Jenlar Swiss - Larry & Jennifer Chilton, WI CICI AGENDA 5 yr. 26,770 1,387 5.2 973 3.6 $5,608 Jenlar Swiss - Larry & Jennifer Chilton, WI TREAT DYNASTY Aged 31,497 1,576 5.0 1,045 3.3 $6,206 Guernsey Bob & Nancy Johnson Baldwin, WI VIOLETG Jr 2 yr. 20,247 802 4.0 596 2.9 $3,330 Dan & Gina Stokes Omro, WI DUMBO Sr 3 yr. 16,446 903 5.5 558 3.4 $3,446 Seth Hunt Barron, WI TUTU HUDSON 5 yr. 17,255 842 4.9 590 3.4 $3,402 Dale & Becky Voelz Leopolis, WI GDLOOKN CHALLENGE Aged 18,375 988 5.4 725 3.9 $4,083 Jersey Shiloh Dairy Greenleaf, WI 8500 SAM Jr 2 yr. 24,431 1,479 6.1 955 3.9 $5,758 Shiloh Dairy Greenleaf, WI 8601 SAM Jr 2 yr. 24,435 1,370 5.6 927 3.8 $5,448 Hallet Dairy Farm LLC Casco, WI 1188 VERMEER Sr 2 yr. 26,057 1,416 5.4 861 3.3 $5,364 Country Aire Farms Greenleaf, WI 10418 VITO Sr 2 yr. 26,722 1,305 4.9 857 3.2 $5,115 Mike Van Rossum Kaukauna, WI 2250 Jr 3 yr. 28,875 1,442 5.0 1,014 3.5 $5,836 Shiloh Dairy Greenleaf, WI 7169 LENCREST Jr 3 yr. 25,167 1,395 5.5 953 3.8 $5,572 Jenks Jersey Farm Marathon City, WI 2230 Sr 3 yr. 28,000 1,411 5.0 1,082 3.9 $5,957 Hallet Dairy Farm LLC Casco, WI 1152 APPARITION Sr 3 yr. 25,704 1,520 5.9 918 3.6 $5,744 Jenks Jersey Farm Marathon City, WI 2042 MARSHALL 4 yr. 32,660 1,424 4.4 1,266 3.9 $6,484 Ron & Nicole Wussow Cecil, WI 201 BARBARIAN 4 yr. 30,893 1,530 5.0 1,150 3.7 $6,395 United Pride Dairy LLC Phillips, WI 9187 5 yr. 28,368 1,361 4.8 974 3.4 $5,554 Country Aire Farms Greenleaf, WI 8043 ROULETTE 5 yr. 29,515 1,360 4.6 970 3.3 $5,540 Don Mielke Menasha, WI TAMARA JACE Aged 22,549 1,463 6.5 914 4.1 $5,614 Country Aire Farms Greenleaf, WI 6089 COLE-P Aged 33,446 1,301 3.9 1,008 3.0 $5,513 Milking Shorthorn Landstad Dairy LLC Bonduel, WI 2998 NITRO EXP Sr 2 yr. 24,500 860 3.5 743 3.0 $3,852 Landstad Dairy LLC Bonduel, WI 2975 NITRO EXP Jr 3 yr. 21,930 793 3.6 656 3.0 $3,473 Roger Kaufman Melrose, WI 126 4 yr. 18,446 782 4.2 680 3.7 $3,519 Twin Oak Farms Dorchester, WI APRICOT KING Aged 22,931 982 4.3 754 3.3 $4,145 Red & White Hinz Farm LLC Pickett, WI 671 SATCHEL-RED Jr 2 yr. 26,171 1,208 4.6 855 3.3 $4,902 James & Joseph Rieden Mount Calvary, WI 1127 LOGAN-RED Sr 2 yr. 33,561 1,204 3.6 1,032 3.1 $5,371 Micke Dairy LLC Reedsville, WI 2898 MILAN Jr 3 yr. 38,793 1,284 3.3 1,167 3.0 $5,907 Micke Dairy LLC Reedsville, WI 2757 DEBONAIR-RED Sr 3 yr. 36,381 1,294 3.6 1,074 3.0 $5,676 Micke Dairy LLC Reedsville, WI 2518 4 yr. 31,246 1,351 4.3 996 3.2 $5,590 Wilstar Holsteins Pine River, WI CAROSEL ADVENT-RED 5 yr. 41,145 1,949 4.7 1,249 3.0 $7,553 Red Beech Dairy Reedsville, WI 2959 Aged 24,740 1,359 5.5 843 3.4 $5,194

Holstein Kinnard Farms Inc. Casco, WI 4301 WINDBREAKER 8 376,471 11,037 2.9 9,833 2.6 Badger Holsteins Unity, WI 61 SCORE 13 364,027 13,403 3.7 10,914 3.0 Kinnard Farms Inc. Casco, WI 3620 BERGWIL 10 346,024 10,524 3.0 9,806 2.8 Kohlman Dairy LLC Chilton, WI 1024 9 342,455 11,703 3.4 9,096 2.7 Kohlman Dairy LLC Chilton, WI 639 WIZARD 11 339,128 11,177 3.3 9,714 2.9 Hopeless Dairy Inc. Sheldon, WI 4175 10 338,134 11,584 3.4 9,761 2.9 Badger Holsteins Unity, WI 226 SAILOR 10 332,577 12,262 3.7 9,787 2.9 Rusk-Rose Holsteins Ladysmith, WI LORI MTOTO 11 328,811 12,215 3.7 9,543 2.9 Tidy View Dairy LLC Freedom, WI 10125 9 328,363 12,911 3.9 9,890 3.0 Stutzman Family Farms LLC Conrath, WI 253 GRANGER 9 325,509 10,766 3.3 9,397 2.9 Tidy View Dairy LLC Freedom, WI 11764 8 323,217 10,387 3.2 8,780 2.7 Tag Lane Farm Ixonia, WI 6150 O MAN 9 315,784 11,501 3.6 9,081 2.9 Tidy View Dairy LLC Freedom, WI 8228 HILTON 9 314,836 8,932 2.8 9,801 3.1 Kinnard Farms Inc. Casco, WI 4057 TOMMY 6 314,282 9,264 2.9 8,618 2.7 Quantum Dairy LLC Weyauwega, WI 43 11 313,993 10,573 3.4 9,217 2.9 Tidy View Dairy LLC Freedom, WI 755 BEAUTY 9 311,690 11,564 3.7 9,297 3.0 James & Deborah Senn Campbellsport, WI 417 JUROR 7 307,969 10,778 3.5 9,260 3.0 Tidy View Dairy LLC Freedom, WI 11788 7 306,880 11,581 3.8 9,065 3.0 Tidy View Dairy LLC Freedom, WI 10327 9 306,359 10,222 3.3 8,417 2.7 Tag Lane Farm Ixonia, WI 6153 TREDWAY 8 306,010 12,666 4.1 9,827 3.2 Tidy View Dairy LLC Freedom, WI 15257 6 304,639 7,801 2.6 8,628 2.8 Ed Walter Farm Inc. Oshkosh, WI 156 9 303,415 10,829 3.6 8,820 2.9 Rhonda & David Klessig Hilbert, WI 759 10 302,800 9,774 3.2 8,697 2.9 Rosy-Lane Holsteins LLC Watertown, WI 2346 LYNCH 9 301,122 14,562 4.8 10,026 3.3 Brown Swiss Auburnvale Swiss Fremont, WI CICILI THE EDGE 8 234,487 8,812 3.8 7,160 3.1 Auburnvale Swiss Fremont, WI FARRAH 8 226,107 8,890 3.9 6,658 2.9 Auburnvale Swiss Fremont, WI PUDDING ENERGY 5 219,767 8,230 3.7 7,456 3.4 Mark Dietsche Bloomer, WI METEOR 6 205,499 7,647 3.7 6,526 3.2 Jenlar Swiss - Larry & Jennifer Chilton, WI TREAT DYNASTY 7 202,602 8,938 4.4 6,892 3.4 Jersey Mark Madson Oconto, WI PATTY MALCOLM 12 201,904 9,413 4.7 7,014 3.5 Red & White Bill Seyller Fond Du Lac, WI BETH SOVEREIGN-RED 8 289,162 10,960 3.8 8,463 2.9

ADDRESS COW ID SIRE ID LACT. # MILK FAT FAT % PROT PROT %

TOP LIFETIME COWS FOR MILK PRODUCTIONWISCONSIN

HERD OWNER

Raise ‘em RightDay 1 Day 2-20 Day 21+

orDay 21+Day 2-20

Convert ImmPower TBC Colostrum Replacer. Made from true bovine colostrum.

Convert Day-One Calf Gel supplements maternal colostrum. Add Convert Powder to milk or milk

replacer. For calves transitioning from milk to grain and up to breeding.


HERD OWNER ADDRESS COW ID SIRE ID LACT. # MILK FAT FAT % PROT PROT %

TOP LIFETIME COWS FOR MILK PRODUCTIONM I C H I G A N , I N D I A N A & O H I O

Holstein Tim Baker Byron Center, MI IRIS BEST BET 7 394,558 16,610 4.2 12,157 3.1 Country Dairy New Era, MI 10003 BUNKER 10 392,240 12,861 3.3 11,752 3.0 Dick Van Rijn Deford, MI 601 GARTH 9 389,303 10,306 2.6 11,037 2.8 Arden & Nicholas Eadie Conklin, MI 2752 8 381,351 13,172 3.5 11,170 2.9 Max & Mike Finkbeiner Saline, MI 1170 9 359,739 12,822 3.6 11,127 3.1 E. Kuyers & Sons West Olive, MI 2443 COURIER 8 354,939 12,111 3.4 10,807 3.0 Cary Dairy Farm Battle Creek, MI 4199 BRASS 9 353,843 12,575 3.6 10,228 2.9 Harold Dodde Falmouth, MI 1519 DANE 8 352,650 12,740 3.6 9,848 2.8 Oesch Swiss Lane Alto, MI 3598 WARRIOR 11 351,315 13,840 3.9 9,731 2.8 Dick Van Rijn Deford, MI 375 9 347,690 11,172 3.2 9,090 2.6 Harold Dodde Falmouth, MI 1455 DANE 11 347,681 13,059 3.8 10,097 2.9 Gordon Dick Mc Bain, MI 843 MATHIE 10 346,684 14,108 4.1 9,714 2.8 HofflandDairyLLC Clayton,MI 1126 12 334,438 10,084 3.0 9,612 2.9 Dave Beuschel Conklin, MI 15 GRANGER 9 334,377 11,346 3.4 9,775 2.9 Walnutdale Farms Wayland, MI 7825 GRANGER 11 331,649 11,216 3.4 10,054 3.0 H & K Dairy Bannister, MI 1280 8 328,841 10,994 3.3 9,518 2.9 Bob, Mike & Matt Cnossen Falmouth, MI 2337 MAGNUM 11 327,535 16,396 5.0 10,056 3.1 Doug & Scott Long Clayton, MI NANCY STOMATIC 9 326,838 14,218 4.4 11,080 3.4 Sam Yonkman Mc Bain, MI 620 SD MORRIS 9 324,153 11,769 3.6 9,251 2.9 Twin River Dairy Inc Freeport, MI 21 MOE 11 323,966 11,878 3.7 9,708 3.0 Dick Van Rijn Deford, MI 1060 7 322,176 11,428 3.5 9,677 3.0 Bruce & Doug Bloom Coldwater, MI 2048 MAGNUM 9 321,661 9,865 3.1 8,387 2.6 Arlyn Walt Coopersville, MI 11565 ZEBO 10 320,163 12,077 3.8 9,611 3.0 Chapin Family Farms Remus, MI 2785 MCNEAL 9 317,919 11,210 3.5 9,481 3.0 River Ridge Dairy Co.,Inc. Coopersville, MI 5882 LINDSAY 12 317,407 13,118 4.1 9,088 2.9 Oesch Swiss Lane Alto, MI 4301 ABE 9 317,375 11,346 3.6 9,907 3.1 Ron Brinks Mc Bain, MI COOKIE WIZARD 9 316,670 8,883 2.8 8,155 2.6 Oesch Swiss Lane Alto, MI 4307 DILLON 9 316,642 8,841 2.8 8,614 2.7 Jeff Shriver & Max Carlson Fremont, MI 2382 8 314,864 9,310 3.0 8,569 2.7 First Farms Ionia, MI 718 LINK 9 313,488 10,575 3.4 8,501 2.7 Lew-Max Holstein LLC Belding, MI 2628 BREEZE 7 313,217 9,706 3.1 9,400 3.0 Ted & Jonathan Keenan Osseo, MI 761 9 311,129 7,690 2.5 8,511 2.7 Tubergen Dairy Farm LLC Ionia, MI 1016 MATHIE PEDRO 9 310,424 9,397 3.0 8,519 2.7 Dean Davenport Durand, MI DORETA LANTZ 8 309,979 12,182 3.9 9,974 3.2 Gordon Dick Mc Bain, MI 898 RUBYTOM 10 309,911 10,680 3.4 8,667 2.8 Matthew & Susan Smith Hudson, MI 172 12 309,639 11,469 3.7 9,152 3.0 Cambria Farms Hillsdale, MI 1969 7 309,407 11,504 3.7 9,172 3.0 Dan, Paul & Nate Elzinga Zeeland, MI 1800 BRITT 9 308,760 11,788 3.8 9,627 3.1 Lew-Max Holstein LLC Belding, MI 2393 MOSCOW 8 308,452 10,550 3.4 8,603 2.8 Bruce Martin Whittemore, MI 323 SAILOR 8 308,102 12,834 4.2 9,579 3.1 Gordon Dick Mc Bain, MI 1204 BLITZ 6 307,978 10,712 3.5 7,682 2.5 Arlyn Walt Coopersville, MI 244 JR 11 307,545 11,088 3.6 9,186 3.0 Charles & Jeff Wadell Elsie, MI 1827 ITO 8 307,352 9,631 3.1 8,314 2.7 Doug Seiler Carson City, MI 339 8 306,610 10,690 3.5 9,230 3.0 Wilson Family Farm Carson City, MI 480 GEOFF 8 305,293 11,103 3.6 9,550 3.1 Max & Mike Finkbeiner Saline, MI 120 10 304,803 12,150 4.0 9,725 3.2 Country Dairy New Era, MI 19113 GARTER 8 304,650 8,632 2.8 8,744 2.9 Kent Folkema Fremont, MI 1510 IROQUOIS 5 304,032 9,396 3.1 8,262 2.7 Harold Dodde Falmouth, MI 1514 ALTAPRONTO 9 303,220 12,102 4.0 9,520 3.1 Nobis Dairy Farms St Johns, MI 4964 BRIGHT 8 302,738 8,655 2.9 8,477 2.8 Oesch Swiss Lane Alto, MI 4717 MILLENNIUM 8 300,824 11,219 3.7 9,041 3.0 Sam Yonkman Mc Bain, MI 893 RYDER 8 300,817 12,579 4.2 9,202 3.1 Brown Swiss Gary & Cory Nielsen Coral, MI 15 ANDY 9 286,037 10,835 3.8 9,186 3.2 Thad Coning Goshen, IN 682 ABSOLUTE 11 274,922 10,605 3.9 8,857 3.2 Tony Rosbrugh West Branch, MI 2384 10 237,222 11,477 4.8 8,676 3.7 Bill & Lisa Bowerman Quincy, MI MILAN 7 230,559 8,809 3.8 7,324 3.2 Bill & Lisa Bowerman Quincy, MI MADDIE 6 200,209 8,064 4.0 6,591 3.3 Red & White Arden & Nicholas Eadie Conklin, MI 2905 REDWOOD *RC 8 288,564 10,582 3.7 8,376 2.9 Arden & Nicholas Eadie Conklin, MI 2946 8 267,082 8,269 3.1 8,004 3.0 Arden & Nicholas Eadie Conklin, MI 3337 7 220,650 6,922 3.1 6,254 2.8 Arden & Nicholas Eadie Conklin, MI 3532 6 210,036 7,448 3.5 6,059 2.9 Arden & Nicholas Eadie Conklin, MI 3387 LIFE 6 200,022 6,671 3.3 5,627 2.8

3X


PROT %

TOP LIFETIME COWS FOR MILK PRODUCTIONM I C H I G A N , I N D I A N A & O H I O

HERDS UNDER 100,000 SCC & ≥ 4,000 DOLLAR VALUEWISCONSIN

HERD OWNER ADDRESS BREED HERD SIZE MILK FAT FAT % PROT PROT % VALUE SCC ACTUAL3X

Andrew & Katie Houk Unity, WI H 37 23,097 870 3.8 703 3.0 $3,765 36,000 Brooks Dairy Farms Waupaca, WI H 243 26,635 1,034 3.9 826 3.1 $4,450 60,000 * Kohn Farms Krakow, WI H 343 28,494 1,085 3.8 868 3.0 $4,672 62,000 Tom Mahoney Glenwood City, WI H 10 22,177 776 3.5 688 3.1 $3,524 62,000 Ken & Anrea Moeller Seymour, WI H 35 23,690 834 3.5 708 3.0 $3,701 64,000 David & Jaime Owen Pulaski, WI H 62 25,232 916 3.6 764 3.0 $4,029 65,000 Dennis Blazek Oconto Falls, WI H 174 28,463 985 3.5 896 3.1 $4,535 66,000 * Loren Hanson Elk Mound, WI H 250 25,857 1,014 3.9 805 3.1 $4,350 66,000 * Mark Anderson Waupaca, WI X 211 31,743 1,186 3.7 959 3.0 $5,135 74,000 Bob & Nancy Johnson Baldwin, WI X 13 24,921 955 3.8 775 3.1 $4,143 78,000 * Floyd & Calvin Brandt Bryant, WI H 80 30,065 1,188 4.0 894 3.0 $4,963 78,000 * Abel Acres Inc. Loyal, WI H 310 29,929 1,130 3.8 852 2.8 $4,723 79,000 Travis Marti Vesper, WI H 185 29,125 974 3.3 904 3.1 $4,533 79,000 * Goodrich Farms LLP New Richmond, WI H 16 26,083 964 3.7 847 3.2 $4,358 82,000 Charles & Anna Ruth Nolt Boyd, WI H 63 22,113 855 3.9 689 3.1 $3,696 84,000 Russell Letter Seymour, WI H 60 27,273 1,008 3.7 805 3.0 $4,336 84,000 Feider Farms LLC New Holstein, WI H 292 26,929 952 3.5 833 3.1 $4,293 85,000 Feltz Family Farm Stevens Point, WI H 563 35,976 1,273 3.5 1,063 3.0 $5,601 86,000 * Hoffmans Happy Holsteins LLC Peshtigo, WI H 540 31,674 1,138 3.6 929 2.9 $4,950 87,000 Nathan & Arlene Nolt Boyd, WI H 82 22,845 876 3.8 726 3.2 $3,841 87,000 Wolf Farms LLC Bonduel, WI H 279 24,463 884 3.6 745 3.0 $3,909 87,000 Mike Moeller Black Creek, WI H 301 21,699 859 4.0 659 3.0 $3,623 90,000 * Stutzman Family Farms LLC Conrath, WI H 336 28,243 1,034 3.7 840 3.0 $4,487 90,000 * Ledgerock Dairy LLC Larsen, WI H 395 31,120 1,231 4.0 941 3.0 $5,182 91,000 Jesse & Rachel Thoma Manawa, WI H 62 23,319 886 3.8 747 3.2 $3,920 92,000 C & J Farms Inc. Bear Creek, WI H 225 25,657 947 3.7 775 3.0 $4,125 93,000 * SeehaferAcres Marshfield,WI H 301 29,421 1,154 3.9 858 2.9 $4,792 93,000 * Floyd & Calvin Brandt Bryant, WI X 34 29,020 1,264 4.4 920 3.2 $5,198 94,000 * Landstad Dairy LLC Bonduel, WI H 429 26,792 978 3.7 797 3.0 $4,250 94,000 * HeimansHolsteins Marshfield,WI H 484 24,876 870 3.5 756 3.0 $3,909 97,000 * Seidls Mtn View Dairy Luxemburg, WI H 1,131 29,467 1,038 3.5 913 3.1 $4,694 97,000 Twilight Holsteins Stanley, WI H 51 25,498 955 3.7 767 3.0 $4,120 97,000 Haslow Farms Loyal, WI H 332 23,460 897 3.8 696 3.0 $3,804 98,000 Wes Weaver Sheldon, WI X 127 22,655 873 3.9 688 3.0 $3,731 99,000

38 Enhancing producer profitability through integrated services.

* Crandall Farms LLC Battle Creek, MI H 320 31,904 1,152 3.6 977 3.1 $5,111 60,000 Lyle Borkholder Nappanee, IN J 99 18,392 874 4.8 658 3.6 $3,655 62,000 * Rodney Daniels Whittemore, MI H 475 29,058 1,051 3.6 899 3.1 $4,684 63,000 * Winkel Dairy LLC Mc Bain, MI H 1,094 28,489 1,047 3.7 840 2.9 $4,514 63,000 Leroy Zimmerman Carson City, MI H 76 26,057 981 3.8 793 3.0 $4,247 64,000 Tjerk & Ramona Okkema Blanchard, MI H 453 25,952 918 3.5 809 3.1 $4,156 65,000 * Wilson Family Farm Carson City, MI H 771 29,860 1,194 4.0 982 3.3 $5,217 66,000 Stuart Farms Lowell, MI H 380 28,593 1,020 3.6 891 3.1 $4,596 66,000 Randy & Cindy Dragt Howard City, MI H 228 24,906 926 3.7 774 3.1 $4,078 66,000 Matt Seeley Shepherd, MI H 81 25,602 924 3.6 785 3.1 $4,103 68,000 Mike Bosscher Mc Bain, MI H 277 25,848 960 3.7 754 2.9 $4,095 68,000 * Lemajru Dairy Farm LLC West Branch, MI H 134 25,443 963 3.8 834 3.3 $4,321 69,000 Terry Koebel Three Oaks, MI H 100 21,777 784 3.6 687 3.2 $3,539 72,000 Tim & Sandy Verhage Allegan, MI H 71 30,867 1,122 3.6 939 3.0 $4,944 73,000 Sperry Dairy Farm LLC Coldwater, MI H 160 28,363 1,105 3.9 895 3.2 $4,789 74,000 Dave & Rick Tacoma Falmouth, MI H 297 28,426 932 3.3 881 3.1 $4,380 75,000 Gilde Farms LLC Lake City, MI H 226 28,750 1,060 3.7 836 2.9 $4,531 76,000 Ken Meekhof Cadillac, MI H 176 26,803 1,015 3.8 852 3.2 $4,480 76,000 * Tubergen Dairy Farm LLC Ionia, MI H 939 28,420 954 3.4 836 2.9 $4,304 77,000 Jonas Zimmerman Wakarusa, IN H 130 27,651 1,152 4.2 848 3.1 $4,762 78,000 * Gordon Dick Mc Bain, MI H 254 32,515 1,132 3.5 944 2.9 $4,977 80,000 Claytop Holsteins Howard City, MI H 255 24,466 971 4.0 768 3.1 $4,158 81,000 Albert Tiles Scottville, MI H 91 23,492 763 3.2 705 3.0 $3,541 81,000 BruceRiffle Custer,MI H 149 24,485 994 4.1 728 3.0 $4,098 82,000 * Kurt Chase Hastings, MI H 591 27,739 1,050 3.8 820 3.0 $4,467 83,000 * Scotts VDS Scotts, MI H 1,550 26,035 853 3.3 786 3.0 $3,953 84,000 Hardy Spring Lake Farms Stanton, MI H 222 27,054 1,038 3.8 829 3.1 $4,466 85,000 * Wirth Farms Evart, MI H 628 27,841 944 3.4 829 3.0 $4,264 86,000 * Ernest Olson Middleville, MI H 438 27,903 987 3.5 834 3.0 $4,370 87,000 Beattie Dairy Farm Holton, MI H 300 23,634 921 3.9 748 3.2 $3,997 87,000 * E. Kuyers & Sons West Olive, MI H 157 36,656 1,335 3.6 1,154 3.1 $5,983 88,000 * Rene Dekker Ubly, MI H 1,304 28,922 995 3.4 863 3.0 $4,465 88,000 Raterink Dairy Farm Zeeland, MI H 95 24,125 872 3.6 750 3.1 $3,897 88,000 Harold Dodde Falmouth, MI H 247 28,935 1,103 3.8 909 3.1 $4,823 89,000 Heritage Farms Wayland, MI H 181 25,662 804 3.1 778 3.0 $3,827 89,000 Smith Dairy Farm Fremont, MI H 135 23,129 821 3.5 729 3.2 $3,732 89,000 * Chapin Family Farms Remus, MI H 702 31,522 1,178 3.7 941 3.0 $5,068 90,000 Nienhuis Dairy Farm Zeeland, MI H 316 27,868 926 3.3 852 3.1 $4,289 90,000 Gerard Antuma Spruce, MI H 386 23,560 849 3.6 735 3.1 $3,808 90,000 * Duane & Janet Molhoek Falmouth, MI H 172 27,473 997 3.6 823 3.0 $4,362 91,000 * Al Reisbig Jr & Sons Ionia, MI H 382 24,249 879 3.6 730 3.0 $3,857 91,000 * Susan Green Elsie, MI J 65 19,211 872 4.5 712 3.7 $3,798 91,000 * Lew-Max Holstein LLC Belding, MI H 571 32,542 1,205 3.7 984 3.0 $5,243 92,000 * Ladine Farms Bellevue, MI H 138 33,323 1,092 3.3 963 2.9 $4,943 94,000 Roth Farms Lowell, MI H 340 25,735 974 3.8 797 3.1 $4,243 95,000 Jerry Folcik Wilson, MI H 82 24,716 1,018 4.1 767 3.1 $4,256 97,000 Bob & Bruce Breuninger Dexter, MI H 252 26,565 906 3.4 789 3.0 $4,075 97,000 Greg Pluger Marion, MI H 170 28,550 954 3.3 862 3.0 $4,375 98,000 Aron Whitaker Elsie, MI H 87 27,059 907 3.4 812 3.0 $4,139 99,000 Dave Long Elsie, MI H 37 23,982 793 3.3 742 3.1 $3,706 99,000

HERDS UNDER 100,000 SCC & ≥ 4,000 DOLLAR VALUEM I C H I G A N , I N D I A N A & O H I O

3X HERD OWNER ADDRESS BREED HERD SIZE MILK FAT FAT % PROT PROT % VALUE SCC ACTUAL

Employee-Owned

Contact your local Vita Plus consultant to learn more Mark Case Ken Casebere Sarah Fraley Steve Good 616.638.4820 989.329.1510 810.837.1605 989.550.4663

PJNeff StacyNichols MattWood LauraZagorski 574.202.1000 574.595.0901 989.550.9663 989.912.9331

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www.vitaplus.com • 1.800.362.8334

Offering feed, nutrition and management expertise for

your whole operation.

Enhancing producer profitability through integrated services.

SCC ACTUAL

Employee-Owned

Contact your local Vita Plus consultant to learn more Mark Case Ken Casebere Sarah Fraley Steve Good 616.638.4820 989.329.1510 810.837.1605 989.550.4663

PJNeff StacyNichols MattWood LauraZagorski 574.202.1000 574.595.0901 989.550.9663 989.912.9331

Visitdairyperformance.vitaplus.comfortimelydairymanagementtopics.Subscribetoreceiveupdatesstraighttoyourinbox.

www.vitaplus.com • 1.800.362.8334

Offering feed, nutrition and management expertise for

your whole operation.

• Calf starters designed to stimulate appetite and develop rumen function

• Steamed, flaked grains for increased digestibility

• Milk replacers

• Premixes

• Opti-Ferm® yeast for optimal gut health

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