www.mimilk.comVol. 97 Issue 8FeBRuARY 2015

Michigan Milk

Inside

Special Edition

Michigan MilkProducers association

2014 annual rePort

The official publication of Michigan Milk Producers Association

Messenger

Also Inside LPC Testing • Annual Delegate Meeting Preview

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EDITOR’S LETTER

MMPA Matters Local Meetings Recap

Quality Watch Lights: What Type is

Right For You?

News & Views

2014 CWT Update

Features Lab Pasteurized

Counts The New Shelf Life

Gold Standard

2015 Young Cooperators Conference

A Match Made by MMPA

2014 MMPA District 7 OYDC Steven and Grace Adamic

2015 MMPA State Delegate Meeting

contentsMichigan Milk Messenger

Board of DirectorsOfficers

Ken Nobis, President

Bob Kran, Vice President

Mark Halbert, Treasurer

Joe Diglio, General Manager/ Secretary, Assistant Treasurer

Todd Hoppe, General Counsel

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(ISSN 0026-2315)

Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA)

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

Be sure to check out the 2014 MMPA Annual Report inside this issue. Learn more about the financial strength of your cooperative and how the entire MMPAteam is moving “Together Toward Tomorrow.”

Insert!

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Departments24 Merchandise

25 Quality Premiums

26 Freeliners

28 Classifieds

29 Policies

30 Market Report

31 Staff

2015 MMPA District Meeting Schedule

MMPA Milker Training Schools

Register Today!

Young and Invested

2014 MMPA District 8 OYDC Wayne Messing

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byKen Nobis President

Recently I was talking to an acquaintance who knows more about milk production than the average consumer. I proudly mentioned that 42 percent of our members received quality awards for their 2014 milk production at MMPA’s local meetings this winter.

Our members realize this statistic indicates we are doing a fantastic job managing our dairy

farms. However, this consumer asked, “Does that mean 58 percent of the milk your members produce is not good quality?”

I was taken aback by the question, even though a short explanation was all it took to clarify the statistic. While 100 percent of our milk has to meet a benchmark of high quality, our award winners go above and beyond, setting an example of outstanding performance. The more I’ve reflected on this conversation, the more I wonder how often we innocently confuse consumers. I believe we always provide accurate information, but we can improve how we present it.

Driving many miles to attend local meetings this winter has given me ample time to think about other situations where our communications could be improved. I think MMPA board members and staff do a decent job of communicating with our own members (as well as with our

consumers), but I started thinking of possible areas for improvement there, too.

We have strengthened our local meeting presentations over the years, covering important topics in a limited amount of time. However, out of respect for our members’ time, we have eliminated details that could provide greater depth on any given topic. This means we are presenting a broad overview of timely topics and then relying on questions from the members in the room to provide more detail when something is not clear or is especially important to the members in that local.

This year’s local meeting season was well timed to allow for face-to-face discussions about several sensitive issues. For example, the market conditions that forced the MMPA board to call for the suspension of Class I premiums were discussed at every local meeting. Even though we weren’t surprised that our members understood the need to call for that action, we do appreciate the support expressed by our membership.

Another topic that came up repeatedly was milk prices. Basking in the afterglow of milk prices in 2014 was somewhat dimmed by the prospects for 2015 prices. A 2015 average predicted price that’s at least $7.00 less than 2014 isn’t a pleasant thought, but neither is it a surprise. The old adage that the cure for high prices is high prices comes into play here, because we

Local Meetings Recap

all know too much supply reduces the price. Even though those 2014 prices felt good, every member I talked to knew they wouldn’t last. Hopefully, prices have reached the bottom and will increase in the coming months.

I think our members understand we are in a commodity business, and as such we live with volatility. If you didn’t sign up for the Margin Protection Program to protect against some of that volatility, consider taking another look for 2016 when the opportunity comes around next summer. We will experience good, bad and average years; however, we look forward to more good than bad as the market potential for dairy continues to grow around the globe.

We welcome your feedback on what we can do to make our local meetings even better. I know not every member had the opportunity to attend a local meeting this year, but whether you did or didn’t, don’t hesitate to contact me, another board member or someone on MMPA’s management staff to get your questions answered. Contact information can be found on our website or in the Messenger.

As always, the best part of the local meetings is visiting with our members, and we would like to keep that going throughout the year.

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MMPA MATTERS

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byKatie Pierson Energy Auditor and Merchandise Coordinator

LED lights seem to be

the new “hot topic”

popping up on meeting

agendas and in farmer

conversations throughout

the MMPA service area.

But are they right for

you? And are all LEDs

created equal?

Before we get into the specifics, let’s talk about the requirements and

recommendations for lighting in dairy barns. Light is measured in footcandles (fc) – one lumen per square foot. (Lumens are the light output of a lamp.)

The Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (the governing document for all Grade A milk) requires 10 and 20 fc in parlors and milkhouses, respectively. The American Society of Agriculture and Biological Engineers (ASABE) recommends 100 fc at the wash vat, 20 fc for general lighting and 50 fc at udder level in the parlor.

General recommendations for lighting stipulate use of high pressure sodium (HPS) lights in freestalls, compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) in general use areas and fluorescent bulbs (T8s) in the milkhouse and parlor.

Lights: What Type is Right for You?

When looking for replacement lamps be sure to:

1. Purchase lamps that are rated for cold environments

2. Select the lamp with the highest temperature Kelvin (K) – a unit of measure used in the lighting industry – to achieve a daylight bright lamp (5,000 – 6,000 K is closest to daylight)

But what about those LED

lights that you see advertised

everywhere you turn? When strictly looking at numbers, LEDs look like the best option. They have lower operating and maintenance costs, shed more lumens, are the only light that is truly dimmable and love cold weather. Keep in mind these generalizations were made using data collected in a lab setting. I’m guessing your barn may not be as clean and dry as a testing lab.

One thing that is true across the board is the fact LED operating costs are lower. A 100-watt incandescent bulb can be replaced with just an 18-watt LED bulb. (Rule of thumb: the higher the watt, the higher the operating costs.) That’s about an 80 percent savings on wattage alone!

Additionally, the LED light’s lifespan is two to three times that of a CFL. However, I believe that most of the LED lights on the market today would fail much sooner than indicated on the packaging in a dairy barn environment. While one 100-watt equivalent CFL bulb may light up a room with minimal dark areas, most LED bulbs shed their

light in a directional footprint. If a farmer replaced that CFL with a comparable LED bulb, the room would be much darker in the corners and edges.

You may be thinking, “Well if LEDs don’t perform well in a dusty, damp environment, putting them in an airtight fixture will solve all our problems.” Unfortunately, this couldn’t be father from the truth. LED bulbs produce a lot of heat; that’s why there are fins around them designed to dissipate the bulb’s high temperature. Sealing this bulb in an airtight fixture will shorten its life considerably as the trapped heat will have no means to escape.

Buying an LED bulb that will perform well in the difficult environments seen on dairy farms currently requires a very large investment. My best advice is to talk to one or two other farmers using LED lighting before buying replacements for your own barn. Go visit a neighbor’s facility if he or she is happy with the LEDs that they recently installed.

The good news is the lighting industry is constantly changing and improving their products. LEDs are without question the future lighting standard, but they’re just not ready to produce like your best cow. For more information or if you are interested in scheduling an energy audit, contact one of the MMPA energy auditors listed on the back page of the Messenger.

QUALITY WATCh

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nEWS & vIEWS

MMPA Members Capture Nearly Half of National Milk Quality AwardsFour of the seven producers recently announced as National Dairy Quality Award Program platinum winners belong to the Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA). In total, 20 MMPA members are among only 41 producers across the country receiving recognition through this program. Of those 20 members, four are platinum winners, eight are gold winners and eight are silver winners.

“Our member owners have always focused on producing a high-quality

product for the domestic and global food chain,” says Joe Diglio, MMPA

general manager. “Earning nearly half of the 2015 National Dairy Quality

Awards speaks volumes about our members’ dedication and commitment

to excellence. Just as our members take immense pride in the milk they

produce every day, we are proud to work for some of the highest quality

dairy farmers in the country.”

Producers from 14 cooperatives received awards with MMPA being the best represented. Other top award winning co-ops included Swiss Valley Farms and Dairy Farmers of America, each with four awards and Upstate Niagara Co-op, Inc. with three.

Prices Continue to SlipThe USDA announced the Class III base price for December is $17.82/cwt., down $4.12 from November, and $1.13 below December 2013. The Class IV price is $16.70, down $1.51 from November, and $4.84 below the previous year. The 2014 Class IV average was a record $22.09/cwt.

More than Half of U.S. Dairy Farms Enroll in New Margin Protection Program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced last month that more than half of U.S. dairy operations have enrolled in the new Margin Protection Program (MPP) for dairy in 2015, “an encouraging start to this crucial new safety net program for our industry,” said Jim Mulhern, president and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation.

The USDA reported more than 23,000 dairy operations signed up for the program during the three-month window that ran until December 19, 2014. That sum represents about half of the overall number of dairy farms in America.

The next MPP sign-up period will begin in six months, during an open season enrollment window for MPP coverage in calendar year 2016. That enrollment period will run from July 1 until September 30.

The MMPA members receiving awards are:

PLAtinum WinnErs

Jeremy Beebe, Whittemore, Mich.; Duane and Janet Mohloek, Falmouth, Mich.; Brent, Nancy, Tyler and Ben Wilson, Carson City, Mich.; and Mike, Lorene, Andrew and Bobbi Zagata, Sebewaing, Mich.

GOLD WinnErs

Randy and Cindy Dragt, Howard City, Mich.; Bradley and Deborah Kartes, West Branch, Mich.; Bruce Lewis, Jonesville, Mich.; Andrew, Michele and Steven Nienhuis, Zeeland, Mich.; Glen, Andy and Casey Sparks, Fremont, Mich.; David and Karen Vander Zanden, Casnovia, Mich.; Ken, Anna, Duane and Laurie VanPolen, Marion, Mich.; and Rob West and the Michigan State University Dairy, East Lansing, Mich.

siLVEr WinnErs

Larry, Brad, Mark and Monica Crandall, Battle Creek, Mich.; Mark Diemer, McBain, Mich.; Harold and Ruth Ann Dodde, Falmouth, Mich.; Bill and Jason Hardy, Stanton, Mich.; Ken Haubenstricker, Birch Run, Mich.; Tjerk and Ramona Okkema, Blanchard, Mich.; Leroy, Jeff, Andrew and Vicky Paulen, Howard City, Mich.; and Robert and Mark Rau, West Branch, Mich.

MMPA offers a portfolio of member services to help members produce the highest quality milk possible. Christy Dinsmoore, MMPA Northeast Area supervisor and mastitis management specialist, explains, “From nationally recognized Milker Training Schools to on-farm equipment evaluation and individual mastitis management programs, MMPA works closely with members to achieve high quality milk.”

MMPA also offers a quality premium incentive for its members producing higher quality milk. This past year MMPA paid $15.3 million in quality premiums to its dairy farmer members.

The National Dairy Quality Award Winners were selected from over 150 applicants. The winning operations stood out for having produced high-quality milk consistently. Applications were evaluated for measures of quality, systems of monitoring udder health, milking routine, protocols for detection and treatment of clinical and subclinical cases of mastitis and strategies for overall herd health and welfare. MMPA winners were nominated by their member representatives.

Photos courtesy of Hoard’s Dairyman.

Photo Captions:

1 End Road Farm, Falmouth, Mich. Pictured (l-r): Duane, Paula, Kevin and Janet Molhoek, Olegario Bazan-Mendez, David Mendoza, Carlos Lopez and Jorge Gonzalez.

2 Double B Dairy, Whittemore, Mich. Pictured (l-r): Eric, Alessandra and

Jeremy Beebe, Josh Lanning, Donald Stephenson, Alexis Mckenthaler, Bob Leiber, Joanne Beebe, Eric Knoellinger, Larry Stephenson, Roger Beebe and Garrett Beebe. Missing from the photo is Stuart Wilson.

3 Wilson Centennial Farm LLC, Carson City, Mich. Pictured front (l-r): Thomas Pacheco, Narcedalia Gazga, Antonio Soriano, Lucerita Alonso and Nancy Wilson. Pictured back (l-r): Brent Wilson, Jeremy Gillson, Billamar Alonso, Butch Blackmer, Ben and Tyler Wilson.

4 Oak River Dairy LLC, Sebewaing, Mich. Pictured front (l-r): Lorene and Bobbie Zagata. Pictured back (l-r): Mike and Andrew Zagata.

Upcoming Dates

February

5-7 Great Lakes regional Dairy Conference

Frankenmuth

march

18 state resolutions Committee meeting

Lansing

19 mmPA state Annual Delegate meeting

Lansing

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CWT helped Sell 2.5 Billion Pounds of Milk Equivalent Overseas in 2014

The Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) Program helped

move an incremental 2.5 billion pounds of milk equivalent overseas in 2014, adding an estimated 38 cents per hundredweight to dairy producers’ milk checks. MMPA received CWT assistance on 5.6 million pounds of dairy product exports in 2014, 3.2 million pounds of butter and 2.4 million pounds of whole milk powder. The program helps maintain American exports of key dairy products when world prices are below U.S. dairy product prices and makes our country a more reliable supplier of dairy products into world markets. In total, CWT accepted 582 of the 1,285 bids submitted for export assistance. Broken down by product, CWT accepted 386 of the 951 bids submitted for cheese, 124 of the 217 bids for butter and 71 of the 117 bids for whole milk powder.

CWT-assisted cheese sales in 2014 reached 102.5 million pounds. Cheddar cheese accounted for 90 percent of the sales, with Gouda and Monterey

Jack at 5 percent each. The majority of cheese sales were to Asia, with Japan the destination for 80 percent of the Asian sales. The Middle East was the second most popular destination, claiming 27 percent of the CWT-assisted cheese sales. Saudi Arabia received 89 percent of the Middle East sales. North Africa was next with for 12 percent of sales, 50 percent of which was sold in Egypt.

The combination of U.S. butter production, down almost 3 percent, and strong domestic demand spurring record-high butter prices put a significant crimp in butter exports in 2014. CWT-assisted sales of world standard butter (containing 82 percent milkfat) in 2014 were 53.8 million pounds, down 37 million pounds from assisted sales in 2013. As in 2013, the majority of butter sales (58 percent) were into the Middle East. Saudi Arabia will receive 39 percent of the product. North Africa was the next largest export market at 28 percent. Morocco was the leading destination in North

Africa receiving 54 percent of the product sold, with Egypt receiving 45 percent.

2014 was the biggest year for CWT- assisted exports for whole milk powder, reaching 34.7 million pounds of product sold. The beauty of whole milk powder is that it moves both milkfat and nonfat solids overseas. Asia was the leading destination for CWT– assisted whole milk powder sales in 2014 with Vietnam receiving 61 percent of the 11.7 million pounds of product sold in Asia. Central and South American trailed Asia by just 1 percent, with Columbia the destination for 88 percent of 11.6 million pounds sold there.

Thanks to the continuing investment of the dairy farmer members of 37 cooperatives, including MMPA, and over 100 individual producers, CWT will be able to provide the export assistance member cooperatives will need to maintain and grow the sales of U.S. dairy products in 2015.

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

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

District ThreeTim Butler, Sand Lake .................................................. 616-636-8567Burke Larson, Scottville .............................................. 231-425-8988David Pyle, Zeeland .................................................... 616-772-1512Bill Stakenas, Freesoil .................................................. 231-757-9340

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Lab Pasteurized Counts – The New Shelf Life Gold Standard

improved. Lab pasteurized counts (LPC), which measure aerobic spore-forming bacteria known as “spore formers,” seem to be more accurate forecasters of the long-term shelf life for today’s dairy supply.

“Some of our manufactured product customers have been requiring more stringent testing, including LPCs, for years. Our infant formula manufacturing customers are especially strict when it comes to LPCs because of the food safety concerns spores can pose especially to babies’ weakened immune systems,” Director of Quality Amandeep Dhillon says.

In the simplest sense, spores are survivalist bacteria. When bacteria are faced with adverse conditions – extreme heat, cold or acidity – instead of multiplying normally, spore-forming bacteria develop a strong coating, transforming into a spore. Spores produce toxins and food spoilage enzymes throughout their life cycles, making them one of the determining factors of shelf life.

Unlike many other types of bacteria, spores can withstand cleaning solutions and pasteurization. As spores, the bacteria can survive in dormant form for years despite the best practices in cleaning, processing and packaging. In fact, the bacteria may be uniquely adapted to overcome the twin tactics of dairy protection: pasteurization followed by refrigeration. The tough coatings of spores make them heat resistant, some with the ability to survive 30 minutes in temperatures exceeding 223°F.

And not only are these shelf-life predicting spore formers difficult to kill through the manufacturing process, they also have the ability to adhere to the walls of processing equipment, creating a biofilm that can be difficult to remove through traditional cleaning and sanitation protocols.

Studies have shown the presence of spore formers and their spores in raw milk before pasteurization has a direct correlation with that product’s shelf life, in fluid, powder or solid form. Coupled with the ability of spore formers to reproduce through normal dairy processing procedures, the dairy industry is beginning to focus on reducing the levels of these microorganisms starting on the farm and at every stage of the processing cycle, a trend that carries implications for dairy producers.

Farm Level ImpactAn increasing number of dairy processors have taken steps to monitor and control the spore formers arriving at their plants. In fact, one of MMPA’s newest customers requires LPC testing, and the cooperative has already worked with members shipping to this plant to address any shortcomings in equipment sanitation, verify the integrity of “soft” milking system components such as rubber parts and review udder hygiene techniques.

As milk production increases and market competition intensifies, it’s predicted a greater number of our MMPA member farms will be asked to add LPC testing to their daily lab orders.

MMPA Director of Member Services Dean Letter explains, “While the lab pasteurized count is not a new test to the industry, it certainly is growing in prominence because spore formers have been shown to dramatically affect the quality of dairy products at retail. When it comes to reducing the level of spore formers in milk, ‘cleanliness is next to godliness.’”

So What Can You Do?Spore formers thrive throughout the dairy farm environment, and management changes may not reduce all types of bacteria. That

Just six decades ago, milk’s shelf life was measured in days and hours. Milkmen had to deliver fresh product door-to-door due to limited refrigeration capabilities and milk quality.

Even though fluid milk expiration dates have increased from hours to weeks, modern consumers and processors continue to demand fluid and processed dairy products with even longer shelf lives. Our customers have, consequently, intensified the pressure on MMPA and our member farms to focus on minimizing spoilage-causing microorganisms, specifically spore-forming bacteria.

Spore What?While traditional raw milk tests – standard plate counts (SPC), preliminary incubation (PI) counts and somatic cell counts (SCC) – have been the primary indicators of quality in the past, other milk tests may be more precise shelf life predictors as industry-wide milk quality has

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being said, cow and udder hygiene, bedding, housing type, equipment condition and sanitation and milking routine are all significant contributors to the presence of spore formers. It is critical to keep the cow and its environment clean. Regular maintenance of the milking equipment and an effective equipment cleaning program are also key to a consistently low LPC.

As with most challenges, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution to reduce the spore formers load on every dairy farm. But, the first step is gauging their prevalence.

MMPA members can send LPC testing requests in with their special milk samples to proactively evaluate spore formers on their farm. As always, MMPA member representatives are available to help troubleshoot high LPC results.

“For many members, the lab pasteurized count is a new quality count that can be managed. Fortunately, many of the things that members already do to manage mastitis and other quality counts will also help manage LPCs. And of course, our field staff is trained and ready to help our farmers improve milk quality every step of the way,” Dean assures.

MMPA Young Cooperators ConferenceN E T W O R K | L E A R N | CO N N E C T | G R O W

Y Connecting Younger Members for over Two Decades Z

Attend the 21st Annual YC Conference for: ❱ A town hall style discussion with dairy leaders❱ Dairy nutrient breakdowns from UDIM experts❱ Management strategies and economic outlook from

dairy economist, Gary Sipiorski❱ Tours of the MMPA Ovid Plant and a mid-Michigan dairy farm❱ Dinner and entertainment with other young dairy farmers

REGISTRATION: Conference registration is FREE to MMPA members and MMPA member employees.Return the YC Conference registration card (mailed in the February 26 milk check) by March 27, 2015 to:MMPA Member Relations Department, P.O. Box 8002, Novi, MI 48376

For more information, call Alex Schnabelrauch at 1-800-572-5824, ext. 211 or email aschnabelrauch@mimilk.com.

HOTEL RESERVATIONS: Make hotel reservations by March 27 and mention MMPA to receive the discounted $119 rate.Call 877-322-5544 or visit www.crowneplaza.con/lansingwest and use the group access code PA3.

April 10, 2015 Crowne Plaza Lansing West

in Lansing, Michigan

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Steven and Grace AdamicDistrict 7 OYDC | Deford/Clifford-Mayville Local

Herd size: 80 milking, 20 dry

replacements: 80

Acres Farmed: 220

Crops Grown: Alfalfa, corn and wheat

milking regiment: Two-a-day milking in a double-four autoflow

parlor

sustainable Practices: Buffer zones at field edges, soil testing

Breeding Program: AI

Education: Steven graduated from North Branch High School

in 2005 and returned to the family farm. Grace graduated from

Millington High School in 2006 and earned a bachelor’s in

microbial and molecular genetics from Michigan State University

in 2010.

Certifications/training: MMPA Milker Training School,

MMPA/Land O’Lakes Calf Care Schools, MSU/Animart On-Farm

Culturing Workshop

A Match Made by MMPA2014 MMPA District 7 OYDC Steven and Grace Adamic

At the not-so-subtle insistence of her mother, Grace Foley was coerced into attending her first MMPA function in 2012.

Less than excited about being dragged to a meeting, there was only one group of seats left by the time the Foley family finally arrived at the Deford/Clifford-Mayville Local meeting. As fate would have it, a young, eligible dairy bachelor named Steven Adamic was already settled in right next to the vacant seats.

“We talked the entire time, laughing and joking with my family. The next day, because he missed his chance to ask in person, Steven had to call my parents to ask for my number,” Grace laughs. “I never, ever thought I’d end up as a dairy farmer, let alone meet my husband through the co-op. And it has been interesting to figure out how to be partners, not only in marriage, but in a farm business, too.”

RefiningtheArtofCompromise

Growing up, both of Steven and Grace’s earliest memories involve working on their families’ dairy farms. Family photo albums show pictures of a two-week-old Steven napping in a stroller in the milk parlor and Grace milking with her mom at 8 to pay for dance costumes.

“As early as I can remember, I’ve been spending my time in the barn finding something to do. If there was a chance I could do something, I did it,” Steven says. “Dairy is in my blood, and I never considered doing anything else.”

But it wasn’t long after the honeymoon when Steven, a fourth generation dairymen, and Grace, a fifth, realized that just because they had both grown up on dairy farms didn’t mean they’d agree on the specifics of ”how.”

“From the beginning, we realized the key to a happy marriage and successful partnership was compromise, and we’re still finding middle ground every day. Eventually, we decided it’s best to split up leadership. So Steven gets first say about decisions involving the cows, and I’m in charge of the calves,” Grace says.

Making Improvements, Ramping up Performance

The Adamics farm with Steven’s parents, Ed and Sandy, and the young couple is charged with making the majority of the 80-cow dairy’s day-to-day decisions. Steven is the operation’s herdsman and the pair does everything from milking to feeding, caring for calves to managing employees.

Since Steven came back to the farm in 2005, several management changes have helped improve the productivity and efficiency of the operation.

“I’ve tried to make investments to protect the long-term viability of our operation. Cow comfort has improved since we grooved the alleyways, installed mattresses in the freestalls and focused on hoof care. We’ve also ramped up calf care and decreased mortality by switching to milk replacer and changing some of the ways we manage our young stock,” Steven says.

Earning a bronze MMPA quality award in 2014, the couple has incorporated and adapted information from MMPA Milker Training Schools to shore up milking procedures, utilized the MMPA lab to determine the cause and treatment of mastitis cases and sold off problem cows to slowly improve the

herd’s quality. The farm’s somatic cell counts have plummeted from 200-300,000 cells/mL in 2005 to 79,000 cells/mL in December 2014. But as SCCs are dropping lower, the herd’s conception rates are going up.

“We average one and a half AI straws per pregnancy,” Steven says. “Since we installed milk meters in 2012, we are not only catching sick cows faster, we’re also getting better data to improve our breeding program. We’re doing our best to get better, not bigger.”

PrioritizingEfficiency

Boasting full barns and facilities at maximum capacity, the Adamics have found ways to improve their efficiency to prevent the necessity of expansion.

“We try to keep labor costs down by employing only three part-time high school employees. Using my dad’s mechanical expertise, we try to service our own equipment. We attempt to identify and fix equipment and management problems when they are still small issues to prevent larger price tags later,” Steven explains. “It’s all about making what we’ve been given last and doing the little things right.”

With hopes of continuing to improve herd performance through more selective genetics and selling heifers to local dairy farmers to prevent overcrowding, the Adamics are confident they can remain competitive with under 100 cows.

“It doesn’t matter if we were milking 1,000 cows or 10, our goal would be the same: do the caliber of work today we can be proud of tomorrow. This mindset has helped us improve on what we already have and add to our family’s dairy legacy,” Grace says.

Steven and Grace Adamic use a whiteboard in the milkhouse to track calf records and keep all employees on the same page.

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17517-256-7750 • 800-435-9560 • www.agriking.com

Personalized Service & Solutions

Complete Dairy Nutrition Programs • On-Farm Consultation

Forage, Grain & TMR Analysis • Personalized Feed Rations

Silo-King® Forage & Grain Treatment Programs

Cutting Edge Enzyme Technology

SILO-KING SILO-KING ®

a five star solutionThe Premier Forage and Grain Treatment Program

Focus on Dairy Production WorkshopDates and Locations

February 17 – 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. 4-H Building, Hillsdale Co. Fairgrounds 115 S. Broad St., Hillsdale, Michigan

February 18 – 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Kent County MSU Extension Office 775 Ball Ave., N.E., Grand Rapids, Michigan

February 24 – 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Forward Conference Center 2980 Cook Rd., West Branch, Michigan

February 25 – 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Gratiot-Isabella RESD 1131 E. Center St., Ithaca, Michigan

February 26 – 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Franklin Inn 1070 E. Huron Ave., Bad Axe, Michigan

march 4 – 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Falmouth Community Center 219 E. Prosper Rd., Falmouth, Michigan

April 9 – 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. (CDt) MenoMichigannee Co. MSU Extension Office S. 904 Highway 41, Stephenson, Michigan

Michigan State University Extension and dairy industry experts are teaming up to offer local dairy farmers information on improving their milk production one ration, treatment and employee at a time.

Workshop highlightsThis program will highlight information relevant to managing today’s dairy farms, including:

Calf Health: Your Cows’ Profit Potential Begins now– Local Veterinarians

Bovine Leukemia Virus: should You Be Concerned?– Ron Erskine, Phil Durst

Feeding High Corn silage Diets– Stan Moore, Frank Wardynski, Jerry Lindquist

Animal Handling tips for Employee training Programs– Local Extension Educators

Winter manure storage, Handling and Application: Emergency response to manure spills

– Shelby Burlew

The registration fee is $35 and includes lunch and materials. To register visit: http://events.anr.msu.edu/2015dairyprod/ OR contact Kathy Lee, 231-839-5850, leeka@msu.edu.

.15

99th AnnualState DelegateMeeting

When: Thursday, March 19, 2015 Registration begins at 9 a.m. | Meeting called to order promptly at 10 a.m.

Where: Lansing Center 333 East Michigan Avenue, Lansing, Michigan 48933

Parking is available in the Lansing Center Lot or the North Grand Ramp located next to the Radisson Hotel (with a walkway to the Lansing Center)

On the Agenda: • Considerationofpolicystatementsandresolutions

• Electionofonedirector-at-largepositionontheMMPAboardofdirectors

• RecognitionofMMPA’s35-yearmembers

• AnnouncementoftheMMPAQualityAwardrecipient

• IntroductionoftheMMPAOutstandingYoungDairyCooperators

Business will be conducted only by accredited delegates, but all members are welcome to attend.

If you’re unable to attend, look for a photo recap of the day’s events onFacebook and follow real time updates on Twitter #MMPAAM2015.

We hope we’ll see you there!

03/19

District Date time Location

1 Wed., Feb. 18 11:00 a.m. Gene Davis Banquet Center 3575 Francis Street, Jackson

2 Mon., Feb. 16 11:00 a.m. Blue Gate Restaurant 195 N. Van Buren St., Shipshewana, IN

3 Mon., Feb. 16 11:00 a.m. Russ’s Restaurant 1499 E. River Road, Muskegon

4 Fri., Feb. 20 11:00 a.m. Engadine United Methodist Church Park Avenue, Engadine

5 Tues., Feb. 17 11:00 a.m. New Hope United Methodist Church 7296 Nine Mile Road, Remus

6 Tues., Feb. 17 11:00 a.m. Agro-Culture Liquid Fertilizers 1130 S. DeWitt Road, St. Johns

7 Thur., Feb. 19 10:15 a.m. Valley Plaza Resort 5221 Bay City Road, Midland

8 Mon., Feb. 23 11:00 a.m. Woodland Hills 320 North Gates Road, Sandusky

TOGETHERTOWARDTOMORROW

MICHIGAN MILK PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION

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Sign up for MMPA Milker Training Schools Today!

Milker Training School Registration

____________________________________________________________________________________Name

_____________________________________________________________________________________Address

_____________________________________________________________________________________Telephone

_____________________________________________________________________________________Producer Permit Number

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Date & Location of Session Number of people attending

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

You may also register via phone or email. Contact:Marianne Gasiewski at 248-474-6672 or Gasiewski@mimilk.com

MMPA Milker Training School (MTS) is 18 years strong and able to help you establish best milking practices that will benefit milk quality and reduce mastitis infections on your farm. If your employees are looking for the “why” behind your milking procedures or your farm is experiencing protocol drift, this is the training opportunity you and your employees can’t miss!

Not only can MTS have an impact on milk quality. It also fulfills the National Dairy FARM Program guidelines of providing yearly training to animal caretakers on your farm. Each person completing the training session will receive a certificate of participation. Mark your calendars and sign-up for MTS today!

www.mimilk.com

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2015 District Meetings

TANK& TRUCK

Custom-Built OEM Food Grade, Chemical andPetroleum Tank Trailers Built in Michigan

With Our 10 Year WarrantyHeavy Duty Truck & Trailer Parts and Service,Chemical Tank Washing and HM Tank Testing

MT. PLEASANT • 800-882-7640www.burchtank.com

Burch Tankshave been

MOOOOOvingmilk for more

than 25 years!

MTS Dates & LocationsRegistration: 9:30 a.m.

Program: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Lunch is provided

February 10 Osceola County Fairgrounds, Evart

February 11 St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Hale

February 17 Shipshewana Event Center, Shipshewana, Ind.

February 24 Kilpatrick United Brethren Church, Woodland (English)

February 25 Kilpatrick United Brethren Church, Woodland (Spanish)

march 24 Evergreen Township Hall, Decker

April 14 Freedom Township Hall, Manchester

April 29 Menominee County Extension Service, Stephenson

April 30 Rudyard Christian Reformed Church, Rudyard

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Wayne MessingDistrict 8 OYDC | Deckerville Local

Herd size: 70 milking, 10 dry

replacements: 150

Acres Farmed: 550

Crops Grown: Alfalfa, black beans, corn, soybeans, sugar beets and wheat

milking regiment: Two-a-day milking with automatic takeoffs in a stanchion barn

sustainable Practices: Reclaimed plate cooler water, no-till cropping

Breeding Program: AI and natural service

Education: Wayne graduated from Harbor Beach High School in 2010 and returned to the family farm.

Certifications/training: National Dairy FARM Program, MMPA/Land O’Lakes Calf Care Schools

Young and Invested2014 MMPA District 8 OYDC Wayne Messing

Wayne Messing maintains detailed herd records as he continues to grow and modernize his family’s 70-cow dairy in Minden City.

At 22, the average American

interviews for their first job, has a

net worth of $2,000 and owes over

$30,000 in student loans. But it’s fair

to say 22-year-old MMPA District

8 OYDC Wayne Messing is far from

average. He’s been a fulltime dairy

farmer for nearly five years and has

big plans to upgrade his family’s

dairy farm before hitting the

quarter century mark.

“I was always going to be a farmer. While my classmates were heading off to college, I took my savings and bought 30 cows instead,” Wayne says. “I always knew my future was becoming a third generation dairy farmer, and I didn’t want to lose any time getting started.”

Dynamic Dairy Duo

Growing up on a 40-cow dairy, Wayne was no stranger to cows, crops and hard work. He was in the barns as soon as he could walk, following in the footsteps (and trying the patience) of his father, Bernie.

“I learned to be a dairy farmer by following one simple rule. When my dad told me not to do something – fix a tractor, feed calves, clean stalls – I did it anyway,” Wayne smiles.

In 2008, the father-son team bought Wayne’s uncle out of the operation to make room for the high schooler to return fulltime. Wayne and Bernie have been a two-man dairy duo ever since.

With just two owner-employees (and a few extra hands to drive trucks during the harvest season) the days off are few and far between. Thus, Wayne was entrusted with a variety of responsibilities long before he came back fulltime.

Currently, he is in charge of milking the herd’s 70 head twice a day and heads up caring for and feeding cows and calves. One of his favorite places is in the cab of his 8640 John Deere, chisel plowing fields.

Messing Dairy has seen a lot of changes since Wayne became a member of the management team, many focusing on cow comfort.

“I switched our cows from sawdust to sand bedding, installed fans to improve ventilation, purchased new mats for the cow barn and upgraded to automatic takeoff milkers,” he explains.

“Not only are the cows happier, we’ve seen improvements in our quality and production. In my mind, these changes are investments. Hopefully this farm will be mine someday.”

Praying for Rain… and Dry Hay

Yet, the Messings still face challenges even after 70 years in the dairy business. “Even though we’re close to Lake Huron, one of our biggest problems is water,” Wayne says. “Year around we bring in a truck load of water a week, two in the summers, just to have enough for the cows and our house. We depend exclusively on rainfall for the crops.”

The Minden City dairy farm sits on one of the many patchy aquifers in the region, making water conservation a top-of-mind priority. Although Wayne struggles to find enough quality water

to keep the operation afloat, farmers a few miles down the road have enough to supply the whole county.

As the family relies on rainfall to help remedy the area’s water problem, they battle with too much moisture in their hay crop thanks, in part, to a perpetual east wind.

“Since we’re less than two miles from the lake, we have to deal with constant, cool wind. Temperatures at our farm are consistently 10° colder than farms five miles west of us,” Wayne says. “These conditions make it very hard to get hay to dry, so we inoculate and spend time tedding to shorten dry time.”

Determined to overcome the challenges and reinvent the seven decades old farm in 2015, the young dairyman has a plan of attack to ensure the future viability and efficiency of Messing Dairy.

New High-Tech Frontiers

Owning 100 acres and just under half of the herd, Wayne has set his sights on purchasing the rest of the operation by the end of 2015. Not too shabby for a 22 year old.

“I’ve already taken on the day-to-day responsibilities of the farm. I might as well start paying for the rest of the operation now while I’m still young,” he says. “I don’t want to milk in a stanchion barn the rest of my career. I’ll need to own the farm to move forward with my expansion plans.”

Not only does the ambitious dairyman want to buy the farm, he also wants to install Lely robotic milkers and increase the herd to 120.

“I have helped four other farms transition to robotic milkers and seen their payback potential. Switching to robots would give us room to grow without buying a new parlor or hiring lots of employees,” Wayne says. “The robots would give me more flexibility to continue to do what I love to do: dairy farm.”

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UDIM Website houses a Wealth of Dairy Information and Promotion ResourcesVisit www.milkmeansmore.org

The DuPont Oval Logo is a registered trademark of DuPont. PIONEER® brand products are provided subject to the terms and conditions of purchase which are part of the labeling and purchase documents. ®, TM, SM Trademarks and service marks of Pioneer. © 2015 PHII. DUPPFO14015VA_020115_MMM

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

L ooking for ways to deepen your dairy resourcefulness? Click on the United Dairy Industry of

Michigan’s (UDIM) website for ideas and promotional items that highlight dairy’s goodness. The easy-to-navigate site caters to both dairy farmers and an inquiring public that hungers for more information about dairy work and play.

Interested in promoting dairy in your community? Funding for local dairy promotions, products and associated items is available through a producer promotional Grant Program found under the For Dairy Producers heading on the milkmeansmore.org homepage. The grant application can be completed online or by phone. A Dairy Promotion Toolkit is also available.

Additionally, UDIM carries educational materials and promotional items to aid dairy awareness efforts across all age groups. An online list of promotional

items can be found nearby, under the For Dairy Producers heading on the website’s homepage.

There’s also an abundance of school information related to dairy nutrition, dairy in school meals and UDIM’s Fuel Up to Play 60 partnerships. Again, the milkmeansmore.org homepage is the gateway to access age-appropriate research and resources.

The schools section of the website houses the popular Chocolate Milk: Nature’s sports Drink. Built on solid research and outstanding taste, the program provides replenishing milk to high school athletic teams that can be enjoyed after practices and games. All the information needed for your local high school to apply for a grant can be found under the Schools heading. Grant applications for fall sports teams are being accepted, with grant detail and deadline information available online.

It’s hard to discuss dairy without getting hungry for dairy products. UDIM’s growing collection of dairy recipes categorically runs the gamut from appetizers, soups and snacks, beverages and smoothies, to entrees and desserts. Beautiful photography of finished products and downloadable recipe sheets make trying new combinations of ingredients easy.

While browsing recipes, don’t forget to take a look at the new, Mouthwatering Cheese Pairing Guide that makes dairy the center of celebrations and takes the guesswork out of hors d’oeuvres planning. Hard copies of the brochure can be ordered from UDIM.

Information about upcoming dairy events, larger-scale promotions and trending issues can be found splashed across the UDIM home page. On the pages inside the website, information ranging from cow care to recipe creation to dairy farm life stories can be found in the Blog section.

Bookmark milkmeansmore.orgfor a wealth of dairy informationand promotional resources atyour fingertips!

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34% minimum protein13% maximum crude fiber

4% minimum fat

Valero Meal

16% maximum fiber6% minimum protein

2.1% maximum calcium2% minimum fat

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

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

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

Traditional ZFS® Menu

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

PREMIUMSMERChANDISE

Chemical, Sanitizer

and Teat Dip

Contact Information

These are service personnel only. Order your Member Merchandise

supplies through your hauler.

ECOLAB24 - Hour Medical Emergency

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

Ecolab Service Message Center 1-800-392-3392

orStan Palmer

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

419-797-2101

Ben Johnson4461 Cambridge Dr.

Port Huron, MI 48060810-824-0636

Jason Koerth7509 Aborcrest Dr.Portage, MI 49024

269-207-3773

Pat Mitchell7273 N. Rollin Hwy.Addison, MI 49220

517-403-0928

A & L Laboratories24 - Hour Medical Emergency

Hotline: 1-800-424-9300

Jeff TimmNW 8665 C.R. M

Shawano, WI 54166612-840-0555

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• 10,000 Raw Bacteria Count

• 20,000 Pre-Incubated (PI) Count

MMPA Quality Premium Program

MMPA Member Testing FeesPayment for testing will be made through an automatic milk check deduction. All costs are listed per individual sample.

Cow Tests: $1

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

Additional testing can be coordinated through your MMPA member representative to include: Raw bacteria count and components.All herd tests must be scheduled with the laboratory through your MMPA member representative.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

– Includes identification of bacteria and drug susceptibility.

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

lab test results by mail: $2/month

snap-On Bottles and nipples by E-Z nurse

The warehouse also stocks two and three quart Snap-On bottles and Snap-On nipples made by the E-Z Nurse Company. These bottles feature pint graduations for easy measurement. The Snap cap nipple is easy to attach by simply turning the base up and snapping the edges down firmly around the bottle top. This is made easier by warming the nipple with hot water first.

stock #8251 – 2qt Snap Bottle member Price: $2.75

stock #8250 – 3qt Snap Bottle member Price: $3.56

stock #8252 – Snap Nipple Only member Price: $1.44

metal Whisk by Land O’Lakes

We also stock a new and improved metal whisk. The whisk is longer and heavier than our previous model. It is a stainless steel 18-inch whisk from Land O’ Lakes and features more robust whips and a thicker handle for a more secure grip.

stock # 8254 – Mixing Whisk member Price: $10.00

Order Your mmPA merchandise

through your milk hauler or call:

Duane FarmerSupervisor

989-317-8370

Toll Free: 877-367-6455

Orders (Novi): 800-572-5824

then dial 2

Fax:989-317-8372M

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To purchase these items, call the warehouse or place an order with your milk hauler.

Calf Blankets and Feeding Equipment

Calf Blankets by udder tech

Despite hopes to the contrary, winter did finally show up in January. When the temperature drops and the snow starts flying, it’s important to keep those baby calves as warm as possible.

Calf blankets by Udder Tech will make this job much easier. These blankets are made of water resistant nylon and feature a single layer of Thinsulate insulation. This single layer has an R-value of 1.67.

These unique blankets are designed to stay on the calf, are easy to put on and take off and can be machine washed and dried. They feature quick release buckles, no Velcro to get matted, an extra strap length for growth and a belly strap to keep the blanket snug when lying down.

Double layer insulated blankets and a smaller size blanket for Jersey and twin calves are available on a special order basis.

stock # 5636 - Calf Blanket- Regular

member price: $33.61

FREELINERS

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

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

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

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

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

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

Example: To be included in the March issue, the freeliner must be at the MMPA office by February 10. www.mimilk.com

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To place your ad please call 1-800-572-5824, ext. 202, or fax 248-426-3412, or email your ad to: Muszynski@mimilk.com.

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

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

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

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

Cows & Heifersred & White Holstein heifers. 616-262-0551.

Patz 18-in. gutter cleaner with 207-ft. of chain. Used very little. Call 810-648-2174.

skid-steer silage Defacer, (The Edge) 5-ft. carbide tipped. Excellent shape. $3,000. Call 616-886-0969.

2 Diesel Daewoo irrigation engines with 700 gpm caprari pumps. Aprox. 700 hrs on each. Switched to electric. Excellent condition. $11,000 each. 2 Kubota diesel generators 480v 3 phase 25kw. Used to run pivots. Excellent shape. $5,000 each. John Deere diesel 40kw 3 phase standby generator. 208 240 and 480v. 300 hrs. $8,000. 2 Steiner belt feeders 80ft and 100ft. $1,000 each. 2 patz single chain conveyors. 20ft and 30ft. $1,000 and $200. Silo distributor $200. 989-613-0694.

new Holland B r 7060 silage special baler, net wrap, 1 yr. old, 1,300 bales, stored inside, excellent condition, $26,000. 989-701-8659.

Gehl 4640 skidster, nice machine, 1,000 hrs, $14,000. 989-701-8659.

2013 massey Ferguson 6616, 120 hp, 4WD tractor, $72,000. 989-205-0963.

2009 Heston 7722 3x3 large square baler, $54,000. 989-205-0963.

Oswalt 200 stationary mixer with 10 hp. motor and 40 ft. belt conveyor and 80 ft. belt feeder with a plow. 231-878-3768.

i.H.C. Hit + miss Engine $300. Gehl Disc Bine 15ft $5,000. N.H. 258 Hay Rake Dolly Wheel $1,750. I.H. 735 14”-22” 5 Bottom auto reset $2,000. N.I. corn picker 2 row-wide pull type $1,200. 616-896-9978.

two plastic footbaths purchased new in June 2014. $100 each. Call John at 989-640-1394.

Dairy Equipment

4,000 gal. Dari-Cool milk tank. Bought new in 2005, no issues with tank, just too small, $30,000. W-R-L Daniels Farm LLC, Whittemore, Mich. 989-873-0036.

700 gal. mueller milk tank, flat top with Copeland Compressor, $1800. Pipeline for double 4 parlor. 76 DeLaval vacuum pump. Milk pump and control DeLaval pulsator. Dellatron 100 SL and master controller. Standard Claws. $1800.Rebuilt masport M3 vacuum pump, $500. DeLaval Dcc counter machine to test milk at farm (like new). New $4000 sell for $2500. Contact Lyle Warkentine (Home) 260-665-8265, (Cell) 260-667-7983.

Delaval double 8 herringbone parlor. 2 Delaval milk tanks, 800 gal. & 1,500 gal. Compressors. Freeheater. Calf Tel Hutches. 616-262-0551.

1330 mueller milk tank with (2) 4-hp. compressors & washer. 850 Mueller milk tank with a 5-hp. compressor and washer with new pump. 200 ft. two inch Delaval pipeline, 4 deltron pulsators with 1-hp. Delaval milk pump. 989-550-2091.

Double 4 Herringbone parlor. Flomax dual pass plate cooler with water value. 260-768-7038, ext. 1.

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

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

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PTO and AutomaticStart Generators

1-800-248-8070M-40 South

Hamilton, MI 49419www.hamiltondist.com

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

JunE CLOVEr sEED. 989-723-1886 or 989-277-1414.

miCHiGAn CErtiFiELD OAt sEED, Spring Barley seed, Roundup Ready II, Liberty Link, and MCIA 2323 soybean seeds. 989-723-1886 or 989-277-1414.

POLICIESCLASSIFIEDS

MMPA Policy on Drug Residue in Milk

miLK On FArm – DruG rEsiDuE susPECtED

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

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

OR

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

• Ifthetanktestsnegative(nodrugspresent),themilkmaybereleased and shipped.

• Ifthetanktestspositive(drugspresent),themembershiprepresentative will authorize the member to dump the tank of milk. The member will be paid 75% of the value of the tank of milk involved.*

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

miLK sHiPPED — POsitiVE DruGs COnFirmED

If a member ships milk from the farm and testing by approved laboratory methods show that the milk contained drug residue, the member will be assessed the penalties imposed by the state regulatory agency and be disqualified for raw and PI bacteria count premiums.

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

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

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

ALL POsitiVE DruG rEsiDuE sHiPmEnts must BE rEPOrtED tO tHE EnFOrCEmEnt AGEnCY.

MMPA Milk Quality PolicyQuALitY QuEstiOnABLE

When a member suspects that the milk in the farm bulk tank is of poor quality they should call a MMPA member representative who will authorize milk in the tank to be dumped. If the member dumps the milk on their own, they must be sure to take the stick reading and record the number of pounds of milk, and report the information to the member representative.

If the milk is dumped, the member will be paid 75% of the value of the tank of milk involved.*

In order to receive payment for an added water voluntary dump, the member must install a Swingline Safety Switch. The Swingline Safety Switch can be ordered from the Mt. Pleasant warehouse. The MMPA member representative will verify the switch has been installed. Reimbursement for the Swingline Safety Switch and the voluntary dump will then be made to the member.

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

miLK sHiPPED – HiGH BACtEriA COunt

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

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

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

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

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

rEJECtED LOAD sHiPmEnt

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

plant and,

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

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

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

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

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

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

Concrete Groovingand texturing

Call: Jeff Brisky - Owner

Toll Free: 1-800-294-1202

Cell: 1-716-353-1137

rEGistErED HOLstEin BuLLs

A special herd sire or a truck loadof breeder bulls.

Ready to go to work on your farm!

GrEEn mEADOW FArms6400 Hollister Road, Elsie, MI 48831

Phone: 989-862-4291

www.greenmeadowfarms.com

oVeR 100 seRVICe AGe Bulls FoR YouR seleCTIoN! • Sired by the top sires from the

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

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

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

mAiL: Classified Ads - Michigan Milk Messenger

P.O. BOX 8002, Novi, MI 48376-8002

EmAiL: Muszynski@mimilk.com

FAx: 248-426-3412

COnCrEtE GrOOVinG BY tri-stAtE sCABBLinG, home of the 2” wide groove. Best traction, lowest prices. 800-554-2288. www.tristatescabbling.com

A surE WAY tO KEEP YOur COWs uPriGHt! Concrete grooving/texturing brings existing grooves back to 100% efficiency and provides high quality traction in new & old concrete, fast service. BLUE RIBBON HOOF TRIMMING, LLC. 989-635-1494.

FOr sALE: 5000-4000-3000-2500-2000-1500 OH muELLEr LAtE mODEL BuLK tAnK miLK tAnKs, complete, will trade. 800-558-0112.

WAntED tO BuY: usED BuLK miLK tAnKs, 200 gallons & larger, Sunset & Mueller, 800-558-0112.

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

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

DAViDsOn CEmEnt GrOOVinG, inC: NO water needed. Wider, rougher grooves for better traction. We also offer texturing for your previously grooved floors. Three operators will travel Michigan and other states. No interest payment terms. Est. 1987. Call 800-365-3361.

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

Statistical Summaryfor Milk Marketed in December 2014

Market Statistics - Mideast Federal Order #33 (pounds)

% this month Year Ago Change

Total Class 1 Sales 545,316,376 546,733,162 -0.26

Total Class 2 Sales 248,433,718 116,949,253 +112.43

Total Class 3 Sales 591,608,555 501,325,589 +18.01

Total Class 4 Sales 283,948,184 119,409,070 +137.79

Total Production 1,669,306,833 1,284,417,074 +29.97

Class 1 Utilization 32.7% 42.6%

Mideast Federal Order #33Total Producers.....................................................................................5,962

Avg. Daily Production per farm .......................................................8,089

Avg. Protein Test ................................................................................. 3.17%

Avg. Butterfat Test ............................................................................. 3.84%

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

Avg. SCC - MMPA ............................................................................157,000

Component Pricing Information -Mideast Federal Order #33Protein Price /lb ...............................................................................$2.7387

Butterfat Price /lb ............................................................................$2.0991

Other Solids Price /lb .....................................................................$0.3996

Class III Price @ 3.5% ........................................................................ $17.82

Prod. Price Diff /cwt. - Mich Mkt .....................................................$1.72

Uniform Price @ 3.5% ...................................................................... $19.54

SCC Adjustment /cwt /1000 ..................................................... $0.00087

AMS Survey PricesProduct Monthly Avg

Cheese /lb............................................................................................ 1.7362

Butter /lb.............................................................................................. 1.9049

Nonfat Dry Milk /lb........................................................................... 1.2554

Dry Whey /lb ....................................................................................... 0.5871

National Trends(millionpounds) 2014 2013 % Change

Production

California 3,427 3,338 +2.7

Wisconsin 2,337 2,283 +2.4

Idaho 1,167 1,110 +5.1

New York 1,156 1,122 +3.0

Texas 894 801 +11.6

Pennsylvania 890 859 +3.6

Michigan 814 760 +7.1

Minnesota 766 745 +2.8

New Mexico 665 652 +2.0

Washington 549 525 +4.6

Ohio 457 444 +2.9

Indiana 326 319 +2.2

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

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

*For 23 States

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

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

member servicesDean Letter .............................................................. 989-289-9251

milk sales/DispatchCarl Rasch ............................................................................. ext. 244

Laboratory supervisorPatti Huttula ........................................................................ ext. 219

manufactured Product salesJim Dodson .......................................................................... ext. 229

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

Credit/insuranceCheryl Schmandt ............................................................... ext. 210

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

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

Data ProcessingGregory Schulkey .............................................................. ext. 237

member CommunicationsAlex Schnabelrauch .......................................................... ext. 211

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Joe Packard, East Lansing ........................................248-520-3481

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

Other ServicesBulk tank Calibration

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

merchandise Coordinator, Energy Auditor

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

mastitis management specialist

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

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

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

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

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

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MARKET REPORT MMPA STAFF

www.mimilk.com