www.mimilk.comVOL. 97 ISSUE 11

MAY 2015

Michigan Milk

Inside

The official publication of Michigan Milk Producers Association

Messenger

Also Inside Quality Award Winner • YC Conference • DC Meeting

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EDITOR’S LETTER

MMPA MattersThe FARM Program: Necessary to Sell Your Milk

Quality WatchAlive and Well: Protecting Your Water Supply

News & Views

Legislative Watch

contentsMichigan Milk Messenger

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: MMPA 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)

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FeaturesMMPA / 4-H Milk MarketingTourJune 17-18

Q & A with 2014MMPA QualityAward WinnerJacob and Elaine Jahfetson

2015 MMPAYoung Cooperator Conference

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Board of DirectorsOfficers

Ken Nobis, President

Mark Halbert, Vice President

Eric Frahm, Treasurer

Joe Diglio, General Manager/ Secretary

Josep Barenys, 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. David Pyle, Zeeland ...........................................................................616-772-15124. Corby Werth, Alpena .........................................................................989-464-54365. 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

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.

Spring has sprung and with it

comes the busy planting season.

Check this issue for recaps of

spring MMPA meetings along

with tips from our 2014 MMPA

Quality Award Winner.

Photo credit: Misty Morning Photography

Cover Departments24 Merchandise

25 Quality Premiums

26 Freeliners

28 Classifieds

29 Policies

30 Market Report

31 Staff

Fading Blue CorduroyNational Ag Teacher Shortage

2015 MMPA Dairy Communicator Meeting

In Brief Industry Updates and News

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byKen Nobis President

Dairy producers are accustomed to intense regulatory oversight because of the food safety implications that are part of milk production. We understand the need to ensure we are sending a high quality product to market from our farms every day.

in as few steps as possible. Initially, compliance with FARM was voluntary; but because of pressure from consumers, MMPA’s customers have asked us to make the program mandatory. After weighing the consequences, the MMPA board decided last year our only choice was to mandate FARM compliance by all members effective December 31, 2015.

Eighty-nine percent of our member milk was enrolled in the program voluntarily before we announced the need to make it a requirement of MMPA membership. We were – and still are – very proud of that fact. We thought 89 percent should be good enough, but our customers responded that less than 100 percent could be construed to mean animal care isn’t a priority with some of our members. I absolutely don’t believe that animal care is not a priority. (But then I’m not a consumer who has no link to dairy production.) Having talked to the MMPA field staff and visited with producers who are opposed to signing up, I understand the independent spirit in a farmer’s DNA is rubbed the wrong way by this requirement.

When the MMPA board decided to move from voluntary to mandatory participation, we knew it wouldn’t be a popular decision, even

though it was necessary to retain market access. As market access requirements go, this one is less onerous than others. Yes, it requires more documentation, and we hear complaints from family-only operations that written protocols aren’t necessary for them. However, family members tend to specialize in one area of the operation, leaving knowledge gaps for other family members if they need to fill in unexpectedly. Personally, I find that when I put unwritten protocols in writing, I sometimes recognize I hadn’t thought the issue through as well as I could have.

We probably wouldn’t be dealing with this issue were it not for undercover videos. Yes, some of the scenes in those videos are contrived. But they have effectively brought unwanted and unwarranted scrutiny that won’t go away; if anything, it will probably increase as new technology makes it even easier to watch our operations. Familiarizing ourselves with the FARM program and complying with its sound management practices will put another feather in MMPA’s cap. Our customers will have another reason to do business with MMPA. This will help support our mission “to market MMPA members’ milk to the greatest advantage possible.”

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The FARM Program: Necessary to Sell Your Milk

Harder to understand, though, is why consumers also worry about the

mistreatment of our animals. “Why is providing our customers with a high quality, nutritious food not enough? Don’t they realize we care about and take care of our animals?” our members sometimes ask. “And, by the way, where was our co-op when these requests (directives) were forced on us?”

When animal care became an important issue for consumers, the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) developed guidelines it believed would efficiently address consumer concerns about where food comes from and how it is produced. A few generations back, the connection between city and country cousins was more direct, but it is not so today. However, many of our city cousins have developed a keen interest in the food they eat and are trying to reconnect with how food is produced. This has resulted in new challenges for all farmers, including dairy producers.

The NMPF animal care guidelines, called Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM), were formulated to meet those challenges. MMPA was involved in developing the guidelines and feels they fulfill their purpose

MMPA MATTERS

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bySteve Lehman Technical Area Supervisor

Alive and Well: Protecting Your Water Supply

QUALITY WATCH

injection point and the connection to the water system. The same rule applies for chemicals added to the water for udder washing or chemicals added to the water system for disinfection or water treatment. These chemicals must also meet National Sanitary Foundation (NSF) requirements for addition to drinking water if they are added to the potable water system. The backflow prevention devices referenced above will, in most cases, provide sufficient protection.

Direct contamination of the well is a five-point debit and includes missing or damaged well caps, damaged well casings and standing water or deep depressions near the well casing. Your state inspector or member representative can help ensure well locations meet specific isolation distances from cattle housing, pastures, lagoons and fuel and pesticide/herbicide storage; state laws often supersede the PMO.

Indirect contamination of the well is a two-point debit and includes loose well caps, unsealed electrical openings to the well, unscreened vents and frost-free hydrants within 10 feet without proper backflow protection. The Watts #8 vacuum breaker (or equivalent) meets the requirement for proper backflow prevention in the case of frost-free hydrants.

Submerged inlets (or potential submerged inlets) occur when the end of a potable water supply line extends below the top rim of a container that may hold a contaminant (including non-potable water), or when the exterior of

a potable water supply line is in direct contact with a contaminant contained within a vessel. Using an RPZ or Watts 9D-style device provides protection from submerged inlets. An air gap or vacuum breaker may also be effective. Air gaps must be at least twice the diameter of the inlet pipe, and most vacuum breakers must be installed so no shutoff valves exist between the vacuum breaker and the end of the pipe or hose. Potential submerged inlets are two-point debits, while existing submerged inlets are five-point debits.

Pressure washers or booster pumps must not be able to draw a vacuum on the potable water system. The Watts N36 relief valve is no longer recognized by MDARD as an adequate measure of protection. While existing installations may remain, any modifications or additions will require direct potable water supply connections be protected by a low pressure cutoff switch or RPZ. The preferred method is to connect the pressure washer to a supply reservoir that is isolated from the potable water system. Pressure washer violations may be considered major or minor debits.

A list of the types and point values of water supply debits may be found on pages 95-100 of the 2011 revision of “Methods of Making Sanitation Ratings of Milk Shippers” at http://1.usa.gov/1DDGJJv.

To aid regulatory agencies in the evaluation of your water system, MMPA has developed the “Water Supply Record Card” that can be found in the blue MMPA Milkhouse Binder containing your Grade A permit. Your member representative will assist you in completing this form. If you are drilling a new well, planning a new water supply system or making changes to your existing system, contact your member representative and state inspector.

W ater supply debits are broken down into high hazard debits

(five points) – cross connections between safe (potable) water supplies and unsafe (non-potable) water supplies, chemicals or sewers; submerged inlets; or any condition that may cause direct contamination of the well – and low hazard debits (two points) – potential submerged inlets and conditions that may cause indirect contamination of the well.

Dairy farms have great potential for cross connections between safe and unsafe water supplies. Some have separate water systems where reclaimed plate cooler water is repressurized for other uses. No backflow prevention is necessary if the reclaimed water systems are physically disconnected (with an air gap, not just valving) from the farm’s safe water supply. If backflow prevention is necessary, a reduced pressure zone backflow preventer (RPZ) or a double check valve with intermediate atmospheric vent (Watts 9D or equivalent) will suffice, allowing water to drain from a vent to prevent backflow. This vent must not be plugged. Single or double check valves (without vents) do not provide adequate protection for dairy farm water supplies. Per PMO requirements, milking areas must have a potable water supply for cleaning milking equipment during milking.

Many CIP systems inject cleaning chemicals into water as it’s added to the wash vat and bulk tank. If the chemical container supplying these systems is larger than one gallon, backflow protection is necessary between the

Last month’s “Quality Watch” stressed the importance of Grade A surveys and check ratings. This month, we’ll focus on one of the Grade A inspection’s most complicated portions: the farm water supply.

©2015 Ecolab USA Inc. All rights reserved.

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March Prices Begin to StabilizeThe USDA announced March’s Class III milk price rose 10 cents to $15.56 per hundredweight, although it is $7.77 below March 2014’s price. The March Class IV price is $13.80, down 2 cents from February, and $9.86 below a year ago.

Producers Scoring 95 percent or more on Grade A Surveys and Federal Check RatingsPackard Farms LLCBebow Dairy Inc.Central Michigan Milk Production LLC *Green Meadows Farm Inc.Green Meadows Farm Inc.Double Eagle Dairy Inc.Vanderploeg Holsteins LLCVanderploeg Holsteins II LLCTerry/Jerry Jr/ Jerry Koebel Ferry Farms LLC Thomas Pierce MSU Kellogg Farm Milton Preston Joni HochstetlerCarl Zook Howard Payne Terry/Jerry Jr/Jerry Koebel Ferry Farms LLC  Rich Acres Farms  Christopher/Beth Brenner*The Preston Farms  Easterday Dairy Farm  Carlton/Carol Marz/David/Cecelia Evans Daniel Williams Thomas Pierce Wagner Family Farms LLC  Milton Preston Allen Yoder Joni Borkholder *100 percent

NEWS & VIEWS

MMPA Hires New CFO Josep BarenysMMPA has hired Josep Barenys to help guide the cooperative’s strategic growth as chief financial officer.

Josep has over 14 years of experience working in international dairy processing finance. After college graduation, he joined Dannon Spain as a dairy financial analyst and moved to Miami in 2005 to work as finance director for the company’s Latin America and North America operations. Most recently,

Josep served as senior director of finance operations for Dannon North America in White Plains, New York. He has bachelor’s degrees in business administration and business economics from Pompeu Fabra University and Catalonia Polytechnic University – Barcelona Tech, respectively.

“Josep’s background and expertise will enhance our ability to evaluate

and execute progressive strategic initiatives. Adding his leadership to

our existing talented team will help move MMPA into the future and

have an immediate impact on our plan to continuously improve,” MMPA

General Manager Joe Diglio says. “We are thrilled to secure such a

talented individual that will add value and benefit the entire team. As

MMPA looks forward and plans for the future, Josep’s diverse experience

will help us think differently and explore new development concepts.”

As MMPA CFO, Josep will help lead vital functions of the cooperative’s business including human resources, accounting and credit and risk.

Mark your calendars for an upcoming MMPA/Merck Animal Health Herd Health Plan Workshop in your area. Dates and locations follow:

May 26 – Double Tree Bay City-Riverfront, Bay City

May 27 – Crossroads Banquet Center, Grand Rapids

May 28 – Okemos Conference Center, Okemos

Participants will leave with resources to develop farm-specific standard operating procedures, a start to a Herd Health Plan and protocol for euthanasia and down cow movement.

Register by May 22 by calling Marianne Gasiewski at the Novi office (248-474-6672, ext. 215 or Gasiewski@mimilk.com.) Each workshop will start at 10 a.m. and conclude at 3 p.m. Lunch will be provided.

SAVE THE DATE!

MMPA/Merck

Animal Health

HHP Workshops

MMPA Advisory Committee

District OneArt Riske, Hanover ........................................................ 517-524-6015Clark Emmons, Fayette, OH ........................................ 419-452-6764Jeff Alexander, Sand Lake ........................................... 517-563-8729Perry Cisco, Hudson ..................................................... 517-404-7997Carlton Evans, Litchfield ............................................. 517-398-0629

District TwoRichard Thomas, Middlebury, IN ............................... 574-825-5198Donald Bever, Delton .................................................. 269-671-5050Jim Droscha, Charlotte ................................................ 517-543-5577Michael Oesch, Middlebury, IN ................................. 574-825-2454Danny Ransler, Gobles ................................................ 269-628-4218

District ThreeBurke Larsen, Scottville ............................................... 231-757-2090Bill Stakenas, Freesoil .................................................. 231-757-9340Gary Nelsen, Grant ....................................................... 231-834-7610Tim Butler, Sand Lake .................................................. 616-636-8567Nico Eadie, Conklin ...................................................... 616-550-4041

District FourDave Folkersma, Rudyard ........................................... 906-478-3023Steve Brock, Daggett ................................................... 906-753-6439Ron Lucas, Posen .......................................................... 989-379-4694Marvin Rubingh, Ellsworth......................................... 231-588-6084Jeremy Werth, Herron ................................................. 989-464-4022

District FiveTom Jeppesen, Stanton............................................... 989-762-5399Bruce Benthem, McBain .............................................. 231-825-8182Amy Martin, Leroy ........................................................ 231-388-0496Mike Rasmussen, Edmore ........................................... 989-762-5380Bill Jernstadt, Big Rapids ............................................ 231-796-4650

District SixKris Wardin, St. Johns................................................... 989-640-9420Aaron Gasper, Lowell ................................................... 616-897-2747Steve Thelen, Fowler .................................................... 989-640-1075 David Reed, Owosso .................................................... 989-723-2023Jamie Meyer, Ionia ....................................................... 989-640-3372

District SevenEric Bergdolt, Vassar .................................................... 989-652-6500Steve Foley, Millington ................................................ 989-871-4028Rod Fowler, Chesaning ................................................ 989-845-6131John Bennett, Prescott ................................................ 989-345-4264Scott Kleinhardt, Clare ................................................ 989-386-8037

District EightMike Bender, Croswell ................................................. 810-679-4782Scott Lamb, Jeddo ........................................................ 810-404-8003Mike Noll, Croswell ....................................................... 810-404-4071Tim Kubacki, Sebewaing............................................. 989-883-3249Dale Phillips, Marlette ................................................. 989-635-7917

At-LargeMark Crandall, Battle Creek........................................ 269-660-2229Tom Wing, Bellevue ...................................................... 269-660-0498Bill Blumerich, Berlin ................................................... 810-395-2926Chuck White, Fowlerville ............................................ 517-521-3564

Upcoming Events

May Hauler Meetings Continue

June

17-18 MMPA 4-H Milk Marketing Tour

Novi

30 Advisory Committee Meeting

Novi

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MSU CANR Dean Search Process BeginsMSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) Dean Fred Poston plans to retire at the end of 2015. The process for selecting his replacement is shared by the CANR faculty represented by the College Advisory Council (CAC) and MSU Provost June Youatt. In accordance with the guidelines established in the CANR Bylaws for Academic Governance, a committee composed of the following will lead the search process: nine faculty members, one member of the CANR Chairs and School Directors group, one MSU Extension educator, one staff representative, one graduate student, one undergraduate student, one MSU College Dean and the Associate Provost/Associate Vice President for Academic Human Resources (member with voice only.) The committee is working with an executive search firm experienced in academic administration to identify and recruit candidates.

Phil Korson, president of the Cherry Marketing Institute, will chair a Stakeholder Advisory Council (StAC.) Though he is a non-voting member of the search committee, he will participate in all critical search committee functions and is charged with gathering input from stakeholders, commodity groups and MSU alumni. This includes screening candidates and developing a process for stakeholders to interact with finalists.

More information on the process and progress will be available on the MSU CANR website as it becomes available.

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LEGISLATIVE WATCH

NMPF Applauds Introduction of Safe and Accurate Food Labeling ActLegislation Will Establish Labeling Guidelines to Help Farmers and Consumers

T he issue of labeling foods made with genetically modified ingredients took center stage on Capitol Hill as March drew to a close.

On March 24, Vermont dairy farmer Joanna Lidback and Land O’Lakes Chief Executive Officer Chris Policinski were among six witnesses testifying on mandatory GMO labeling laws before the House Agriculture Committee. The following day, NMPF joined numerous other agriculture groups in endorsing new, bipartisan federal legislation establishing a protocol for food marketers wishing to voluntarily label foods with GMO ingredients.

Lidback said the need to build a viable small business led her family to embrace using genetically modified seeds for feed. “I also believe that biotechnology enables us to lessen the environmental impact that growing can have because less fertilizer and pesticides are used to grow an abundant crop,” she said. If the marketplace forced her to use non-GMO feed grains – most of which would be certified organic – her farm’s feed bill would more than double each month, from $5,328 to $12,000, Lidback added.

Policinski called mandatory GMO labeling “an effort to stigmatize a form of technology and attempt to drive it out of the marketplace.” He said a state-by-state patchwork of mandatory GMO labeling laws “would be a logistical nightmare, creating dozens of different standards, different definitions and different exemptions.”

A better approach, he said, would be voluntary national labeling, which would respect both the consumer’s right to choose in the marketplace and also a farmer’s right to choose a safe, proven technology.

The day after the committee hearing, a bipartisan group of 17 House members reintroduced the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act, under which the Food and Drug Administration would set national standards for companies wishing to label their products as either containing or not containing genetically modified ingredients.

NMPF immediately endorsed the bill. “Rather than create a confusing patchwork of state policies, this federal legislation would establish uniform rules and a national certification program for foods that have been produced without bioengineering,” NMPF President and CEO Jim Mulhern said. “If food companies wish to voluntarily label their products as GMO-free, this legislation lets them do it.”

Fast Facts on GMO LabelingGenetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) Provide Great Benefits to American Consumers:

• GMOs Increase Food Variety and Protect our Food Supply: GM technology adds desirable traits from nature, without introducing anything unnatural or using chemicals, so that food is more plentiful.

• GMOs Have a Strong Track Record of Success: GM technology is not new. In fact, it has been around for the past 20 years, and today, 70 to 80 percent of the food we eat, both in the United States and away from home, contains ingredients that have been genetically modified.

• GMOs Make Food More Affordable: GM technology helps reduce the price of crops used for food, such as corn, soybeans and sugar beets by as much as 15 to 30 percent.

• GMOs Help the Environment: Ingredients grown using GM technology require fewer pesticides, less water and keep production costs down.

• GMOs Make it Easier to Address Global Hunger:

One in eight people among the world’s growing population of 7 billion do not have enough to eat. Safe and effective methods of food production, like crops produced through GM technology, can help us feed the hungry and malnourished in developing nations around the world.

“Rather than create a confusing patchwork of state policies, this

federal legislation would establish uniform rules

and a national certification program for foods that

have been produced without bioengineering.”

Jim Mulhern,NMPF President and CEO

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• GMO Safety has been Affirmed

by the Leading Global Science

and Health Organizations: Many of the most influential regulatory agencies and organizations that study the safety of the food supply, including the FDA, the American Medical Association (AMA), the World Health Organization (WHO), Health Canada, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the National Academy of Sciences, have found genetically modified food ingredients are safe and there are no negative health effects associated with their use.

A Federal Labeling Standard For Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) Will Help Americans by:

• Keeping Grocery Bills Down: A recent Cornell University study found that statewide GMO labeling laws could increase costs in the checkout aisle by an average of $500 per family per year. Some families could see their grocery bills increase by $1,500 annually.

• Eliminating Confusion:

Remove the confusion and uncertainty of a 50 state patchwork of GMO safety and labeling laws, and affirm the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as the nation’s authority for the use and labeling of genetically modified food ingredients.

• Advancing Food Safety: Require the FDA to conduct a safety review of all new GMO traits before they are introduced into commerce. FDA will be empowered to mandate the labeling of GMO food ingredients if the agency determines there is a health or safety issue with an ingredient derived from a GMO.

• Informing Consumers: The FDA will establish federal standards for companies that want to voluntarily label their product for the absence-of or presence-of GMO food ingredients so that consumers clearly understand their choices in the marketplace.

• Providing Consistency: The FDA will define the term “natural” for its use on food and beverage products so that food and beverage companies and consumers have a consistent legal framework that will guide food labels and inform consumer choice.

American Farm ProductsArlin Koglin 989-553-3370

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MMPA Meets with Michigan House Ag Committee

LEGISLATIVE WATCH

Pictured at left is Representative Dan Lauwers (R-81),

chairman of the Michigan House Agriculture

Committee, with MMPA President Ken Nobis.

During the presentation, Nobis reviewed a variety of

information about MMPA and Michigan’s dairy industry,

saying, “Milk production in Michigan has increased 60

percent since 2000 while cow numbers have increased 30

percent during this time.”

Nobis commented on several expansion projects

MMPA has implemented at the Ovid and Constantine

manufacturing plants and discussed the increasing role

of the export market in the dairy industry. He reviewed

milk’s journey from the farm to the consumer and

commented on the quality of MMPA member milk.

“Nearly half of the awards presented in the recent

National Quality Award Program were given to MMPA

members,” Nobis added.

$3.6 Million Paid to MMPA Members

M ichigan Milk Producers Association

(MMPA) made cash payments of $3.6

million in equity retirements in April.

These cash payments represent the retirement of the

2006 equities. This is in addition to the $1.8 million in

cash patronage from 2014 earnings paid to members

earlier this year. Combined, MMPA has distributed nearly

$5.5 million in addition to the monthly milk checks to its

dairy farmer members in the first four months of 2015.

“The almost $5.5 million in equity retirements

and cash patronage refunds is a reflection of our

commitment to return value to our member-

owners,” Joe Diglio, MMPA general manager, says.

“We’ve been able to serve Michigan dairy farmers

for nearly a century due to our high-quality milk

supply, responsible financial management and

competitive member value return.”

During fiscal year 2014, MMPA members earned

$15.2 million in over-order value. These premiums

serve as a reflection of MMPA’s financial strength

and are a combination of quality, volume and

over-order premiums. MMPA has achieved these

benchmark goals through earnings from the

association’s plant operations and from its bulk

milk marketing operations.

“The almost $5.5 million in equity retirements and cash

patronage refunds is a reflection of our commitment

to return value to our member-owners,” Joe Diglio,

MMPA general manager, says. “We’ve been able to

serve Michigan dairy farmers for nearly a century due

to our high-quality milk supply, responsible financial

management and competitive member value return.”

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@ the MMPA/4-H Milk Marketing Tour

June 17-18!What: MMPA/4-H Milk Marketing Tour - two days of dairy & milk marketing tours, presentations and activities

Who: 15-18-year-old (as of Jan. 1, 2015) 4-H/FFA members or other students interested in dairy or milk marketing

When: June 17-18, 2015

Where: Novi, Mich.

Why Should I Attend? 1. Meet other students interested in dairy2. Tour a dairy processing plant3. Meet leaders in the Michigan dairy industry4. Earn the chance to attend the National 4-H Dairy Conference in

Madison, Wisc.

>>>

Learn more about co-ops and milk marketing...

RegistrationParticipant InformationName:________________________________

Address:_______________________ City:___________ State:___ Zip:_____

County:___________________ Phone:______________ Age:___ Gender:___

Affiliation: 4-H ____ FFA ____ Other ____

Adult Chaperone InformationName:________________________________

Address:_______________________ City:___________

State:___ Zip:_____ Phone:______________

Registrations Due May 27

Please complete this form & mail it to: Melissa Elischer, Michigan State University, Anthony Hall, 474 S. Shaw Ln., Rm 1287H, East Lansing, MI 48824

Space is limited to the first 30 students, so register today! Call the MMPA Member Relations Department with questions 248-474-6672.

*Students who have already participated in the MMPA/ 4-H Milk Marketing Tour are not eligible to attend.

@ the MMPA/4-H Milk Marketing Tour

June 17-18!What: MMPA/4-H Milk Marketing Tour - two days of dairy & milk marketing tours, presentations and activities

Who: 15-18-year-old (as of Jan. 1, 2015) 4-H/FFA members or other students interested in dairy or milk marketing

When: June 17-18, 2015

Where: Novi, Mich.

Why Should I Attend? 1. Meet other students interested in dairy2. Tour a dairy processing plant3. Meet leaders in the Michigan dairy industry4. Earn the chance to attend the National 4-H Dairy Conference in

Madison, Wisc.

>>>

Learn more about co-ops and milk marketing...

RegistrationParticipant InformationName:________________________________

Address:_______________________ City:___________ State:___ Zip:_____

County:___________________ Phone:______________ Age:___ Gender:___

Affiliation: 4-H ____ FFA ____ Other ____

Adult Chaperone InformationName:________________________________

Address:_______________________ City:___________

State:___ Zip:_____ Phone:______________

Registrations Due May 27

Please complete this form & mail it to: Melissa Elischer, Michigan State University, Anthony Hall, 474 S. Shaw Ln., Rm 1287H, East Lansing, MI 48824

Space is limited to the first 30 students, so register today! Call the MMPA Member Relations Department with questions 248-474-6672.

*Students who have already participated in the MMPA/ 4-H Milk Marketing Tour are not eligible to attend.

We caught up with back-to-back MMPA Quality Award Winners Jacob and Elaine Jahfetson to see how the couple, who has been dairy farming for over three decades, has managed to produce such high quality milk. Battling the harsh weather conditions of the northwest Upper Peninsula, the Jahfetsons milk 24 cows in Keweenaw Bay (Baraga County.)

They achieved the following quality averages during the 2014 fiscal year: a somatic cell count of 40,083, pre-incubated bacteria count of 2,333 and raw bacteria count of 1,417.

in the teat ends, and it’s almost impossible to get all that bacteria out of those cracks during udder prep.

When and why did you start focusing on milk quality?After our local dairy co-op went bankrupt in the 1980s because of milk quality issues, we missed three milk checks. Then we signed on with MMPA. We focused more on milk quality when we started getting quality premiums. When the price of milk went down over the years, it was always nice to get that extra income because of our quality.

Explain your milking procedure. We wash the udder using Bac-Drop solution mixed with water and use Sani-Prep towels, continuing to wipe and clean the teats thoroughly until the towel comes back clean. We focus on the teats, especially the teat ends. (We’re very fussy with udder prepping.) The unit is attached. When the milk stream lessens, we release the vacuum and pull the unit straight down – not at an angle. Then we post dip with I-deal. The unit is dipped in a mixture of sanitizer and water and allowed to drip.

How do you maintain healthy teat ends?We do our best to prevent over milking, ensuring there’s not too much vacuum pressure and confirming the unit isn’t angled while it’s attached.

How do you detect mastitis? Before getting Internet service last year, we’d call the MMPA Novi lab often for our test results. Now, we watch our MMPA counts every other day online and try to catch mastitis as early as possible. We’re typically around a 30,000 cells/mL SCC. But since we’re a smaller herd, one quarter of one cow will elevate our counts to over 100,000 cells/mL in no time. It only takes one high quarter to bounce us up and take us out of contention for

Q & A with 2014 MMPA Quality Award Winner Jacob and Elaine Jahfetson

What’s your farm setup?

We milk in a 22-stall stanchion barn built in 1931. A calf barn is attached, and we also have a small barn for heifers. Because of overcrowding, a few dry cows and several heifers were kept in loose housing over the winter.

What’s your rolling herd average? Butterfat? Protein?

In April, our RHA was 18,538 pounds, butterfat was 696 pounds and protein was 580 pounds.

How many cows left your herd last year?

Six – two were udder related. We went 11 months without a new case of mastitis and ended the year with two cases total.

Do you cull mastitis cows?If the cow responds well to treatment and has a soft, healthy udder, we usually don’t cull. If the udder is hard and fibrous, we are more likely to cull. If a cow has contracted mastitis on back-to-back lactations, we don’t breed her back. Cows don’t get a third chance, even if it’s a different quarter. Mastitis slows you down.

How often is your milking system evaluated?We like to get it checked every nine months. In 2011, three cows came down with hot mastitis cases because our vacuum pressure gauge wasn’t measuring pressure at the inflation correctly. When the vacuum isn’t correct, it’s very harmful to the teat ends. Bacteria can collect in the cracks

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the MMPA Gold Quality Award. I also check the DHI linear scoresheet and CMT paddle any cow higher than a 3.5. If a cow has a swollen, hard udder, we CMT paddle her immediately.

What’s your protocol with fresh cows?We use the same udder prep routine we use with the other cows and milk into a bucket. We use the cleanest unit to make sure we prevent bacteria from getting into the freshened udder. We use Udder Comfort lotion on swollen fresh udders twice a day for three to four days. Cows and heifers with swollen udders get two shots of a diuretic (Salix.) On the fourth milking, we paddle the fresh cow to see if the milk is mixing in. If it is, once the diuretic is free from her system, her milk goes into the tank. If the paddle shows high SCCs, we treat with Today in the infected quarter and repeat 12 hours later.

What about dry cows?We cut them down on feed at the end of their lactation; then we dry them off with Tomorrow. We dip each quarter after this treatment and add a leg band so treated cows aren’t milked by mistake. If she has been a problem cow, I paddle and treat her with Today before the dry treatment.

Do you have written protocols for detecting and treating mastitis?We do now, but we didn’t years back. In case we’re laid up, they are there for whoever takes the reins. Since we have one barn where all the cows – dry and milking – are kept, we have to be careful and use leg bands for treated and dry cows so others know whose milk is safe to go into the tank.

What was your biggest quality breakthrough?In July 2000, our SCC was 435,000 cells/mL, raw bacteria count was 16,000 cells/mL and PI count was 460,000 cells/mL. What really put us over the edge was losing some of our greatest producing cows to preventable mastitis. We were having to sell cows with high counts, even though they gave us great milk

volumes. It took us a while to figure out what was really going wrong. But once we figured out the issue, got rid of the problem cows and achieved better quality, it was much easier to maintain.

Is it easier or harder to produce quality milk with a smaller herd?I think it’s easier to improve quality as a smaller herd because we have fewer cows to keep track of and can be perfectionists. However, in larger herds it’s easier to maintain superior quality. In our situation, one bad quarter in the bulk tank can make a huge difference in our test results.

What would you say to MMPA members struggling with high counts?Study what you’ve done in the past 12 months, and if your counts aren’t good, you have a problem. Identifying the problem is key. Are you breeding problem cows back? Is your equipment working correctly? Are your milkers trained, educated about

what they are doing and interested in milking? It’s important that your udder prep is thorough even with a large number of cows. You can’t have dirty teat ends and expect high quality milk. Whatever you do, don’t over or under milk, and make sure you’re on DHI test.

If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently?It would have been nice to go through a short dairy course to learn new, modern practices before we started in the dairy business. And we should have used the CMT paddle sooner. We didn’t use it for our first five years in business, and it’s so important to detect and monitor treatment of mastitis cows.

What’s next? We’re going to retire in the next year or two. It’s difficult with only six shippers in our three-county area. There are no young people starting out in the business, so we’ll sell the cows and raise a few beef cattle and some hay. We still love to dairy, but it’s harder on our bodies, and we can’t keep doing it forever. We are thankful for all the help and advice from MMPA throughout our farming career and enjoy being part of the co-op.

The Jahfestons were named MMPA’s 2014 Quality Award Winner at the Annual State Delegate Meeting on March 19. Pictured on the previous page (left to right) are Jason, Elaine, Jacob, David and Jackie Jahfetson. Jacob (left) and Elaine (top) have worked to improve their Upper Peninsula herd’s quality for over three decades. M

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“The future of the dairy industry will be determined

by how dairy farmers react to a changing world,”

Gary Sipiorski, Vita Plus dairy development manager,

relayed to attendees during the MMPA Young

Cooperators (YC) Conference in Lansing on April 10.

I n his presentation to the 80 YCs in attendance, Sipiorski reflected on a visit to Nobis Dairy Farm in 1991. “Just like your president, I want everyone in this

room to still be in the dairy business 24 years from now,” he added.

In addition to Sipiorski’s presentation, YC Conference attendees had a chance to hear co-op updates from MMPA President Ken Nobis and MMPA General Manager Joe Diglio, checkoff highlights from United Dairy Industry of Michigan (UDIM) CEO Sharon Toth and dairy nutrition talking points from UDIM Director of Nutrition Affairs Kathi Eckler. In the afternoon, participants toured both the MMPA Ovid Plant and Nobis Dairy Farm in St. Johns before wrapping up the evening with dinner and team trivia.

2015 MMPA Young Cooperator ConferenceKeys to the Future of Dairy: The Four Legged Milk Stool

By Allison Stuby

Sipiorski examined keys to the future of dairy, urging YCs to focus on the four legged milk stool: 1 Know how to keep your cows as

comfortable as possible2 Grow high quality feed3 Know your numbers

4 Know how to work with people

With these solid legs supporting the weight of a dairy farmer’s operation, Sipiorski sees a bright future for the savvy dairyman and woman. Further, he warned producers about the future opportunities and threats of the dairy business: volatility of commodities, fluctuations in exports, global events, domestic product innovations, consolidation of farms and infrastructure, new technologies, generational transfers and profitable preparation.

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“Let’s talk about change. ” Sipiorski said. “When facing change, some people see a mountain, while others see a speed bump.” As Sipiorski outlined, the process of change starts with denial, then continues onto anger, realization, depression, acceptance and finally growth. “You need to know this process, because you will go through it,” he asserted.

Fluctuations in milk prices are a constant battle, and Sipiorski urged the young farmers to be smart about their money, especially when prices are favorable.

“Were you smart last year?” he asked. “The best way to accommodate price fluctuations is to be smart when prices are high.” In his remarks, he recommended farmers pay off payables, pay down their line of credit, build up cash, repair and replace needed equipment, be careful about paying down term loans (you have to rewrite the loan to get the principal back), prepay future expenses and prepare for coming years when margins are high.

“I don’t care how many cows you have, I want you to be in the top third,” Sipiorski said. ”Using a 2014 third quarter summary from the accounting firm of Nietzke and Faupel, the difference between the average cost of production for all of the herds in the report and the cost of production for the top third of producers was $1.66 per hundred pounds of milk. What seems to be pocket change translates to $332 per cow. Applying that information in a conservative example of 20,000 pounds of milk per cow if you have 1,000 cows, you’re looking at $330,000 for the top 30 percent herds of additional income over all of the herds in the report. You need to do better than just break even to stay in business.”

Sipiorski advised YCs to develop a business plan, know goals and objectives, understand strengths and weaknesses and have a plan for financial and business transitions. Change is coming in a variety of forms to the future of the dairy industry. But the key is to be prepared and rest on the solid foundation of the four-legged milk stool.

“Some people say, ‘I don’t like the future,’” Sipiorski concluded. “I say, ‘Yes, it’s pretty scary. But it depends on how you look at it. I choose to look at the dairy industry not like a sunset, but a sunrise of new opportunity and potential for success.’”

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Fading Blue Corduroy“I believe in the future

of agriculture, with a

faith born not of words

but of deeds…”

T he FFA Creed has been memorized and recited by millions of agriculture

students across the country since 1928. Even after decades of modernization, the organization still stands as a symbol of agricultural leadership, growth and career success.

Yet, despite record state and national membership, the organization is facing a threat that could mean far fewer students donning the blue corduroy jacket.

“Nationwide, 48 states are experiencinga shortage of agriculture, food and natural resources (AFNR) educators,” Dr. Randy Showerman, AFNR cluster state supervisor and state FFA advisor, explains. “With fewer farm families supplying students to the industry, there has never been a more important time for rural and urban students to learn about agriculture and the sector’s career opportunities.”

High Demand, Low SupplyMichigan is home to 6,734 FFA members and 8,251 agriculture education students. Despite impacting less than1 percent of total high school enrollment, the program is gaining popularity.

“Accordingly to a Purdue study, FFA members are more actively engaged in school and community activities than their peers, more likely to attend two- and four-year colleges and much more likely to identify a career goal in agriculture than the typical student,” Dr. Showerman explains. “These factors have made the program attractive to agricultural and urban school districts alike.”

But even as more schools show interest in agriculture education, the state has discovered the hard truth – no teachers, no students, no programs.

The numbers speak for themselves:

• Last year two agriculture education programs were forced to close because of the teacher shortage.

• Thirty of Michigan’s 126 current agriculture educators are annually authorized – utilizing their agriculture experience as a temporary certificate in lieu of an AFNR education degree.

• There are three open positions currently waiting to be filled.

• Three school systems are interested in starting new programs.

• There are zero agriculture education graduates in their fifth year of college currently student intern teaching.

Roadblocks AboundSo what’s keeping graduates out of the classroom?

Dr. Showerman explains, “Larger class sizes, fewer programs with extended summer contracts, increased demands in the classroom and higher salary potential in agriculture business and industry drive many potential teachers to pursue other careers. The versatility of our graduates make them desirable hires for the rest of the industry, and regardless of the $15,000-20,000 of scholarships awarded to the average agriculture education student, many can’t justify a year of unpaid student teaching.”

While the statistics look bleak and the barriers seem insurmountable, five passionate Michigan State University (MSU) students – the only Michigan institution offering a degree in AFNR education – are bucking the trend and preparing for a year of intern teaching.

“I wouldn’t be who I am today without agriculture education and FFA,” Casie Forbush, 22-year-old MSU AFNR education senior and granddaughter to one of MMPA’s early members, attests. “I was painfully shy growing up, and FFA gave me poise and confidence. Even though becoming an agriculture educator is far from easy, I want to pass that opportunity on to others.”

Industry and MSU CollaborationRest assured, these future agriculture teachers aren’t alone. Both industry and educational partners have recognized the imminent impact of the agriculture teacher shortage and are taking action.

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The Michigan FFA Foundation and MSU Department of Community Sustainability is helping drum up financial support along with additional training and mentorship opportunities through their new “Challenge 24” program; their goal is to annually bring in 24 freshman prospective teachers by 2024. (Three of the 24 planned scholarships have been funded to date.)

Ten high school sophomores and juniors will kick off the inaugural Challenge 24 Academy July 27-28, spending two days learning more about MSU’s AFNR education program, writing and teaching practice lessons plans and asking questions. Those completing the academy will be eligible to receive $2,400 in scholarships.

this opportunity to FFA members entering any college at the university. It’s a testament to the agriculture industry’s continuous partnership with the university and the widespread credibility of FFA and agriculture education,” Dr. Showerman says.

Getting InvolvedYet, the agriculture educator shortage is far from remedied. “Many students don’t see agriculture education as a possible career. We need your help encouraging the young people in your communities to become ag teachers,” Dr. Showerman urges. “If we had more teachers, we could have far more Michigan programs.”

For the dairy industry, the benefits of FFA and agriculture education extend far beyond the blue jacket. “I had to explain to a biochemistry classmate why there’s no ‘gluten-free’ label on milk,” Casie says. “There’s a deficit of agriculture knowledge in our culture, and that’s why I want to be an AFNR educator. My goal is to grow and teach students so they become more informed consumers and agriculture advocates.”

For more information about the Michigan FFA Association and how you can support the program, visit www.MichiganFFA.org or contactthe Michigan FFA Foundation at517-432-2482.

In another effort to reduce educational costs, former Michigan FFA Project Consultant Charles Snyder recently unveiled a $500,000 planned gift to help support agriculture education students during their fifth-year student intern teaching experience.

The university is also chipping in, announcing that FFA members completing a state approved secondary AFNR education program and earning the State FFA Degree will qualify for six general MSU credits. “MSU’s administration is very excited to offer

Whether you’re an FFA alumnus

or supporter, the Michigan FFA is

encouraging you to get involved.

You can make a difference by:

• Supporting the Michigan FFA Foundation’s endowments or the Challenge 24 program

• Serving as a guest speaker

• Hosting a student’s fair project or FFA farm tours

• Judging leadership contests

• Sitting on your local agriculture education advisory committee

Casie Forbush (top left) is one of only five

statewide college students graduating

with an agriculture education degree

and teaching certificate over the next

two years. Despite developing students’

potential for premier leadership, personal

growth and career success, the National

FFA Organization is struggling to open

new programs due to a nationwide

teacher shortage.

Photo credit: Alan Green, Michigan FFA Association

MMPA DairyCommunicatorsMeetingCommunicating the Nutritional Truth to ConsumersBy Allison Stuby

Why do I need milk? What if milk upsets my stomach? Isn’t organic milk more nutritious? Doesn’t pasteurization remove all of the nutrition?

misinformation. “There are too many people talking about nutrition and they muck up the real message,” Eckler said. “We need to keep putting our message out there and communicate the truth to consumers.”

She stressed the importance of being prepared to respond to questions and sharing the true message. “When faced with a consumer question, first recognize what their understanding is and then try to direct them to the right information,” Eckler advised. “But if you don’t know the answer to a difficult question, don’t fake it – punt! Direct them to UDIM resources and staff. We have five nutritionists available to answer difficult questions.”

Eckler asserted throughout her presentation that listening and understanding consumer questions helps farmers grasp concerns and address the real problem. “Ask why they’re asking,” Eckler urged. “If you don’t make assumptions about what the person is asking and why, the underlying concern may be simpler than you think.”

Eckler provided the DCs with great talking points to field some of the most common dairy questions. Her tips are included on the next page.

Today’s consumer has a lot of questions about dairy and more than a few barriers to achieving the recommended three servings a day. But with a day of informational sessions and trainings under their belt, over 50 MMPA Dairy Communicators (DC) attending the group’s annual meeting on April 16 have a toolbox of information and resources to help answer consumer questions.

In addition to updates from MMPA President Ken Nobis and United Dairy Industry of Michigan (UDIM) Executive Director of Communications Staci Garcia-Nagel, the participants had their choice of attending four breakout sessions. These sessions included dairy nutrition, digital customer insights, classroom presentations and Instagram and were presented by UDIM Director of Nutrition Affairs Kathi Eckler, Dairy Management Inc. Senior Vice President of Digital Initiatives Don Schindler and dairy promoter Leona Daniels.

In the first afternoon breakout, Eckler empowered the DCs with dairy nutrition information. Eckler demonstrated how to communicate effectively with consumers in a world with many voices spreading

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Pictured below: UDIM’s Kathi Eckler (top) and longtime dairy promoter Leona Daniels (bottom) both led breakout sessions during MMPA’s Dairy Communicator Meeting on April 16.

Pictured at right: The 2015 MMPA Dairy Communicator service award winners at this year’s meeting included: front (left to right) Doreen Slavik and Kay Willcome and back (left to right) Terri Stakenas, Joanmarie Weiss, Arlene Ter Haar, Bertha Mae Stough and Carla Wardin. A complete list of recipients is listed on the next page.

Tips from a Registered Dietician: Answering DifficultQuestions

Why Do I Need Milk?

Milk is packed with important nutrients including calcium, protein, phosphorus, potassium and vitamins A, B and D. “Keep focused on the message that milk is a nutrient powerhouse. Calcium is they key important nutrient and don’t forget the importance of Vitamin B for energy,” Eckler said. “There are four nutrients that Americans don’t get enough of in their diet, and milk provides three: calcium, Vitamin D and potassium.”

What if Milk Upsets my Stomach?

Some consumers are lactose intolerant because they don’t produce enough lactase to digest milk. Eckler recommended common solutions for these consumers including lactose-free milk, hard cheeses, yogurt and eating dairy with other foods.

“Lactose intolerance can be an acquired problem and the solution is to eat dairy. You can recommend the ‘go low, go slow’ method. Try small amounts of dairy first and then increase it slowly to build tolerance,” Eckler said.

Isn’t Organic Milk More Nutritious?

Organic products are an increasing force in the food marketplace, causing some consumers to believe organic milk is a superior product. According to Eckler, studies show no difference between organic and conventional milk.

“There is no nutritional advantage to organic milk,” Eckler explained.

Doesn’t Pasteurization Remove all of Milk’s Nutrition?

“Are you getting questions about consumers wanting to drink raw milk?” Eckler asked the group of DCs. According to Eckler, some consumers who elect to drink raw milk are misinformed about the process of pasteurization and do not realize how fast the milk is heated and at what temperature. Pasteurization raises raw milk to 160° Fahrenheit for 15 seconds to remove harmful bacteria such as listeria.

“There’s nothing nutritionally wrong with raw milk, but it is a food safety concern because people that don’t live on your farms haven’t built up immunities to the bacteria in your milk,” she said.

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MMPA DairyCommunicatorService Awards

25 YearsKay WillcomeGrand Rapids Local

20 YearsKen DeZeeuwEvart Local

Doris StueverMid-Thumb Local

15 YearsDebra KrafftFrankenmuth Local

Doreen SlavikMid-Michigan Local

Terri StakenasMuskegon Local

Arlene Ter HaarWest Michigan Local

5 YearsRamona OkkemaAlma Local

Bertha Mae StoughClare-Mt. Pleasant Local

Barbara WardinFrankenmuth Local

Carla WardinMid-Michigan Local

Joanmarie WeissFrankenmuth Local

Free Family Learning Experience at Breakfast on the Farm EventsFive Breakfast on the Farm (BOTF) events are scheduled for July and August. These events are open to people of all ages and provide a great family learning environment.

Michigan State University Extension started BOTF in 2009 to help educate consumers about modern farming practices, reaching more than 61,000 children and adults to date. Visitors will be able to meet the families behind the food that’s on their dinner table each night and learn about agriculture from experienced and knowledgeable agricultural producers. The day includes a free breakfast featuring Michigan-grown food products and a self-guided tour of the farm, with volunteers from the local community available to answer questions.

Upcoming Breakfast on the Farm dates and farm hosts are:

July 11 Mason County – Stakenas Farms Freesoil, Michigan

July 25 Sanilac County – Roto-Z Dairy Farm Snover, Michigan

Aug. 8 Van Buren County – Hood Farms Family Dairy Paw Paw, Michigan

Aug. 15 Gratiot County – Wheeler Dairy Breckenridge, Michigan

Aug. 29 Hillsdale County – Pleasant View Dairy Jonesville, Michigan

All of the events will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., with the breakfast ending at noon. Although this is a free event, tickets are required for the breakfast. Ticket pick-up locations will be announced approximately one month before each event. To find out more about a Breakfast on the Farm event in your area, visit breakfastonthefarm.com.

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IN BREIF

Application Deadline for the 2015 Michigan Youth Livestock Scholarship is May 31, 2015Since 2000, the Michigan Youth Livestock Scholarship Fund (MYLSF) has awarded more than $360,000 in scholarships and educational awards to outstanding youth who have exhibited at the premier livestock events in the state of Michigan.

To be eligible for either the MYLSF general scholarship or the statewide scholarship, the applicant must be a resident of Michigan and a graduating high school senior or a high school graduate continuing their education at an accredited institution in the year in which they are applying. For the general MYLSF scholarship, the applicant must be a youth exhibitor at the Michigan Livestock Expo, the Michigan Dairy Expo or the former Michigan State Fair, for a minimum of three calendar years prior to the year of application. For the statewide scholarship, an applicant must be a youth exhibitor at a local, county or statewide exhibition for a minimum of three years prior to the year of application.

Specific proceeds from the Michigan Livestock Expo Sale-Abration auction as well as charitable donations help fund the scholarships. In 2014 approximately $15,000 was deposited in the Michigan Education Saving Plans for youth exhibitors that compete in judging and showmanship events at the Michigan Livestock Expo on the Michigan State University campus.

Applications and qualification requirements for the MYLSF and the statewide scholarship can be obtained at www.michigan.gov/mda-mylsf. Applications must be postmarked no later than May 31, 2015.

Beef Checkoff Announces Updated Veal Quality Assurance ManualThe Beef Checkoff recently released an updated Veal Quality Assurance (VQA) program which can be found on the recently updated www.VealFarm.com. The VQA program brings consistency and uniformity to on-farm care to result in a safe, wholesome, quality veal product. By being VQA-certified, veal farmers are helping to build trust and confidence in that product and demonstrating a commitment to quality to consumers.

“All livestock producers have an ethical obligation to

provide for the health and well-being of animals in their

care,” Lauer adds. “The VQA program allows veal farmers

to certify their commitment to that ethical obligation by

pledging to adopt a series of quality production practices,

complete training and confirm a Veterinarian-Client-

Patient Relationship (VCPR).”

Involvement in the VQA program begins with your veterinarian. Program materials can be accessed on www.VealFarm.com.

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Mark Adam Named NorthStar Cooperative, Inc. General ManagerThe NorthStar Cooperative board of directors selected Mark Adam for NorthStar’s next executive vice president and general manager effective March 31, 2015.

The announcement was made last fall by NorthStar board President Paul Trierweiler after past Executive Vice President and General Manager Gary Smith announced his intention to retire from the cooperative. In this role since 2003, Smith’s leadership has been instrumental in growing the cooperative. During the last 11 years revenues have grown from $13.5 million to over $25.5 million, enabling the cooperative to return more than $5.1 million in patronage to member-stockowners during that same time.

“Gary has poured his heart and soul into our organization

and his passion for NorthStar is evident in the success we

have experienced during his leadership,” Trierweiler said.

“At the same time, on behalf of the board, we are truly

excited about our future with Mark Adam as general

manager. We know he has the leadership and staff to

build on our existing strengths and continue the positive

course NorthStar has been on to ensure our future growth

and sustainability.”

Adam is no stranger to NorthStar or the dairy industry, with lifelong experiences in the A.I. and DHI industries. Adam joined the NorthStar team in 2000 as the director of DHI Services, where he was responsible for managing a field staff of 75 as well as two milk analysis laboratories. In 2009, Adam was appointed to the newly created position director of integrated services, where his focus has been on developing field service teams from cross-company business units to further enhance NorthStar’s service to producers.

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

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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MERCHANDISE

Master Fly Control this SpringAfter a very long wait, spring seems to have finally arrived. Temperatures are on the rise, and as the temperatures increase, so do the flies. Fly population control is very important on dairy operations during the warm months of the year. Minimizing disease transmission to livestock and humans and preventing product contamination are extra challenges during fly season. MMPA Merchandise stocks two products members can purchase to use as tools in their fly management program: QuikStrike and Prozap LD-44Z.

QuikStrike QuikStrike strips are a ready to use, self-contained product designed to be placed in fly foraging areas. The active ingredient, Nithiazine, kills flies seconds after they feed on Quikstrike. The flies are attracted to the sugar base matrix and a strong fly pheromone attractant. QuikStrike is effective only after flies ingest the active ingredient Nithiazine. Therefore, it needs to be placed in areas where flies actively feed. The best placement is 2-4 ft. above ground level in an area protected from children, animals, direct sunlight, wind and rain. QuikStrike strips are effective for six to eight weeks and are helpful in controlling flies in calf raising areas, milking barns and feed storages. QuikStrike is available in a box containing two strips per package.

Stock#: 5503 Member price: $18.75/pkg.

Prozap LD-44ZMMPA Merchandise stocks Prozap LD-44Z farm insect fogger. The active ingredients in Prozap LD-44Z, Pyrethrins and Piperonyl Butoxide, repel and kill a host of insects. Prozap LD-44Z contains no CFC’s and may be used in milk rooms and livestock housing areas, if used according to label directions. Prozap LD-44Z is available in a 20-oz. aerosol can.

Stock #: 5501 Member price: $11.18/can.

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PREMIUMS

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

FREELINERS

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.

Service Age Bulls: AI sired Red & White and Black & White Holstein bulls out of high butterfat and protein dams. Also Jersey and Holstein x bred bulls. Jerry Good 616-262-6904.

Equipment2 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.

Patz 575 feed mixer, nice machine, 25 new knives, $8,000 OBO. Call 260-768-8137 *Would consider trading w/round baler.

Case Magnum 270 duals front and rear, $53,700. 231-388-0339.

Claas 820, 4 WD, 3900 hours, 13-ft. hay head, $67,300. 231-388-0339.

Vermeer 505L round baler, auto tie system, field ready, $4,750. 989-233-5137.

Used Jamesway silo unloader parts. International #56 four row wide corn planter. Delaval pulsators and electronic brain. Antique combination cook stove. Call 269-792-6630 ask for Jim or leave a message.

7.5 HP Tuthill Oilless vacuum pump Mod. # 003-22R2 with filter and vacuum regulator $2,500. Zero 600 gal. bulk tank w/5 HP Copeland compressor, washer and extra parts $1,500. 1100 gal Delaval bulk tank w/5HP Copeland compressor w/washer $700. Delaval Milking system – 7 Deltron 200 SC pulsators, large flow claws, Receiver jar and pump, 240’ of 2” milk line, 240’ of 2.5 vacuum line, 22 Dual stall cocks $5,850. Will sell as package or separate. Call Myles at 810-357-8804 or Carl at 810-304-0413.

Schultz corn cultivator, 7 row, 3 pt. hitch. 616-291-4092.

Dairy Equipment2005 Boumatic Vision double six milking parlor, automatic detachers, low line, 600 gal. bulk tank. Call for more information 989-551-1429.

Dairy Farm367.11 acre farm in Cheboygan, Mich. At present it’s a dairy farm, but it can be a place to raise heifers, or beef, etc. 400 free-stall barn, + pother bldg. Think outside the box, how much are you paying per month to have someone raise your short bred heifers, we’re doing 100 right now for $2 a day, do the math, for what it cost you a month to farm them out, you could have a heifer farm of your own at what you’re paying per month for someone else to raise them. 130 acres of alfalfa will be planted this year, 200 ac. of wheat all in for 2015. You can pretty much raise anything up here that you can down state. We rent another 600 acres with highest rent $40 ac. Price is $990,000, and we are ready to make a deal. Call 517-202-9421 or 231-625-2036 to talk and have info and pictures sent.

Misc.1st cutting haylage. 989-640-3370.Calf free stalls. 989-640-3370.

WantedRegistered Holsteins. Call Brent at 989-551-0681.Small herd of dairy cows. Phone 517-930-6552.M

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Freeliner Policy

The 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 June issue, the freeliner

must be at the MMPA office by May 10.

www.mimilk.com

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.

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PTO and AutomaticStart Generators

1-800-248-8070M-40 South

Hamilton, MI 49419www.hamiltondist.com

CLASSIFIEDS

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

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

MICHIGAN CERTIFIED OAT SEED, Spring Barley seed, Roundup Ready II, Liberty Link, and MCIA 2323 soybean seeds. 989-723-1886 or 989-277-1414.

DRY HAY & STRAW (large & small square bales) and barley for food. 989-723-1886 or 989-277-1414.

JUNE CLOVER SEED. 989-723-1886 or 989-277-1414.

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

FARMERS: ARE YOU LOOKING TO INCREASE YIELDS & QUALITY OF YOUR FORAGES? You can now learn from the experts. Find out what it takes to hit the 300 bu. per acre mark on corn. For free info call 888-266-0014 *8475

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

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.

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.

FOR SALE: 2 Rubber Round-up tire scrapers, 1 Quick tach $700, 1 Bucket style $500. 3 brush spring style back scratchers $100 each. 1 Man-u-MIT Manure tank 3300 gal w/injectors clean nice stored inside $4000. 1 Houle 10ft 3pt 6in twin nozzle manure pump stored inside excellent cond. $6,000. 2 electric warming plates 2ft x 4ft $30 each. Double 8 Herringbone parlor w/air indexing rail & gates. 12 Surge West-falia take off 2 years old. 12 Boumatic Flowstar milkers and pulsator. Boumatic plate cooler 3in low line. Dairy Chem-ical auto dispenser. Complete set up. 1 12in 3pt post hole digger used very little $600. Call 989-551-9715.

Concrete Groovingand Texturing

Call: Jeff Brisky - Owner

Toll Free: 1-800-294-1202

Cell: 1-716-353-1137

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POLICIES

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.

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

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

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

MILK SHIPPED — POSITIVE DRUGS CONFIRMED

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

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

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

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

ALL POSITIVE DRUG RESIDUE SHIPMENTS MUST BE REPORTED TO THE ENFORCEMENT AGENCY.

MMPA 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.

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

Statistical Summaryfor Milk Marketed in March 2015

Market Statistics - Mideast Federal Order #33 (pounds)

% This Month Year Ago Change

Total Class 1 Sales 528,668,966 528,832,470 -0.03

Total Class 2 Sales 337,262,774 199,728,901 +68.86

Total Class 3 Sales 409,023,670 492,888,523 -17.01

Total Class 4 Sales 284,698,293 226,703,398 +25.58

Total Production 1,559,653,703 1,448,153,292 +7.70

Class 1 Utilization 33.9% 36.5%%

Mideast Federal Order #33Total Producers.....................................................................................5,676

Avg. Daily Production per farm .......................................................8,864

Avg. Protein Test ................................................................................. 3.14%

Avg. Butterfat Test ............................................................................. 3.81%

Avg. Oth Solids Test .......................................................................... 5.73%

Avg. SCC - MMPA ............................................................................174,000

Component Pricing Information -Mideast Federal Order #33Protein Price /lb ...............................................................................$2.4875

Butterfat Price /lb ............................................................................$1.8444

Other Solids Price /lb .....................................................................$0.2918

Class III Price @ 3.5% ........................................................................ $15.56

Prod. Price Diff /cwt. - Mich Mkt .................................................. ($0.23)

Uniform Price @ 3.5% ...................................................................... $15.33

SCC Adjustment /cwt /1000 ..................................................... $0.00079

AMS Survey PricesProduct Monthly Avg

Cheese /lb............................................................................................ 1.5750

Butter /lb.............................................................................................. 1.6945

Nonfat Dry Milk /lb........................................................................... 1.0217

Dry Whey /lb ....................................................................................... 0.4824

National Trends(million pounds) 2015 2014 % Change

Production

California 3,700 3,811 -2.9

Wisconsin 2,435 2,350 +3.6

New York 1,172 1,159 +1.1

Idaho 1,172 1,157 +1.3

Pennsylvania 941 929 +1.3

Texas 889 894 -0.6

Michigan 852 796 +7.0

Minnesota 814 780 +4.4

New Mexico 686 714 -3.9

Washington 568 562 +1.1

Ohio 468 460 +1.7

Indiana 343 330 +3.9

* Total U.S. 16,877 16,690 +1.1

* U.S Y-T-D 48,560 47,768 +1.7

* For 23 States

MARKET REPORT

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

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

Dirk Okkema, Blanchard ................................................................N/A

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, Charlotte ..............................................810-701-6460

Joe Packard, Kalamazoo ...........................................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, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.) In Michigan ....................................................................800-572-5824Toll Free............................................................................800-233-2405

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

Constantine (Daily, 7 a.m.-10 p.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

MMPA STAFF

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

General ManagerJoe Diglio .............................................................................. ext. 200

Chief Financial OfficerJosep Barenys ..................................................................... ext. 240

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