Sustainability Spotlight: Parker Bivens

MMPA is committed to cooperative social responsibility and sustainable business practices throughout our entire supply chain. At the farm level, MMPA members are also on a sustainability journey. We’re checking in with a handful of member farmers leading the charge with this sustainability spotlight series.

Like many other farms, sustainability on Ladine Dairy Farm begins out of necessity and desire to pass the farm on through generations. “If I’m not sustaining, I’m not going to be here, and I want to pass it onto the next generation like my grandpa has to my uncle,” Parker Bivens (District 2, Bellevue, MI), owner of Ladine Dairy Farm said.

For Bivens, sustainability is at the root of his efforts to automate his operation. What started as a love of technology, coupled with the recognized labor challenges they were facing, turned into installing technology in all facets of their farm.

“I had to talk my dad into installing robot milkers, but he’s looking closer to retirement so it was once he realized how easy it would get, he was on board,” Bivens said. “Now, he’s glad that we did it because installing the robots helped us deal with labor, employees, and now one of us can do it all day long or even for a couple of days straight with no problem.”

Ladine Dairy Farm transitioned to robot milkers in February 2021. While it was a rough first few weeks, they have since seen significant improvements in their herd’s health.

“The biggest gain we’ve gotten from the robots is the labor savings and cow health and longevity just from not being on their feet for so long waiting to get into the parlor,” Bivens said. “We have seen a huge increase in conception rates, too. We were averaging probably 35-40% conception rate and now some months will be up to 60%. That’s something too that will just keep getting better over time.”

In addition to the robot milkers, Ladine Dairy Farm also utilizes automatic calf feeders which ensure that every calf receives the proper amount of nutrients for their age, and a robot feed pusher that helps provide cows consistent access to a well-balanced diet. The robots have created an ecosystem of technology on the farm, simplifying the transition for heifers.

“A big correlation with the heifers when they calve in is the technology they’re exposed to when they are younger. They do really well because we’ve been setting up for it over the last four years,” Bivens said. The forward-thinking nature also allows Bivens to recognize that the “technology is a decade of investment, but over a long period of time we will have healthier cows as a result.”

The technology on Ladine Dairy Farm also allows Bivens to monitor metrics that evaluate a cow’s health without just relying on visible signals.

“I’ve been able to catch sick cows faster,” Bivens said. “Usually when rumination begins to drop, I try to see what’s wrong with them. The software shows us which cows are suspected for ketosis and it takes into account rumination and activity while using protein and fat as an inversion as well. It’s all in there.”

For Bivens, the technology is also a way to ease his worries when it comes to carrying for his cattle. “I don’t sleep at night when I have a calf that isn’t doing as well as what it should. I worry about every animal’s health and stress when I have sick animals.”

Parker’s automation efforts underscore his desire to provide the best quality care for his cattle, all while sustainably approaching his smart farming practices. Perhaps fittingly, when asked what his definition of sustainability is, he recommended, “Ask Google.”

At the end of the day, Parker’s goal on his farm is to “be more successful with what we’ve been given” and that’s what sustainability is all about.

KEYWORD

Smart Farming: A broad range of new technologies that provide data to guide on-farm decisions and planning. This could include sensors for almost any variable of interest; everything from soil moisture sensors for irrigation control to electronic monitors for livestock health. Driving this revolution is the Internet of Things, an ever-growing network of sensors and devices with internet and machine-to-machine connectivity.

FARM

Ladine Dairy Farm LLP
Bellevue, Michigan

HERD

120 milking

LAND

380 acres of alfalfa, corn,
soybeans, rye and wheat

VERIFICATIONS

MMPA Sustainability Survey, Nutrient Management Plan, Farmers Assuring Responsible Management Animal Care, MAEAP Veriﬁed in Livestock and Farmstead Systems

This article was originally published in the May/June 2022 issue of the Milk Messenger. Subscribe »

From Farm to Food Pantry

Michigan Milk Producers Association’s (MMPA’s) partnership with the Food Bank Council of Michigan (FBCM) helps provide all 83 counties in Michigan with a supply of nutritious dairy products for those struggling with food insecurity. Kath Clark, Director of Food Programs at FBCM answered a few commonly asked questions:

What is the Food Bank Council of Michigan and what is your relationship with member food banks?
The Food Bank Council of Michigan (FBCM) was founded in 1984 through the cooperative efforts of the state’s regional food banks. FBCM purchases food and distributes it to member food banks who service a specific geographical region and provide food and resources to pantries in their communities. Food pantries can “shop” the regional food bank to acquire food that meets the needs for their own community programs and services.

How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect your organization?
We distributed almost 50 percent more food than any other time we ever have. We went from using brick and mortar pantries to doing mobile distributions, a safer and more efficient model for our older, higher-risk volunteers. The shutdown happened so quickly that many people were not prepared, and we all remember how bare the shelves at grocery stores were. It was hard to find food and we had a lot of people utilizing our services for the first time in their lives.

What challenges are you facing today?
The supply chain challenges are hitting us hard, and inflation is staggering. We all see the effects of those challenges when we go to the grocery store and buy our own family’s groceries. When we are buying a truckload of groceries at a time and see the prices go up the same way, our food banks are telling us that they are easily 25 percent over budget for food purchases. Within the last month with gas prices skyrocketing, we are beginning to see an increase in the number of people visiting food pantries again, all at a time when our capacity to purchase had decreased because of inflation.

What is your relationship with MMPA?
MMPA is the organization that taught us how to handle milk in our food banks. Milk has always been the most requested item at food pantries, and it used to be that the milk that we received, more often than not, was milk near expiration donated by local grocers or retail outlets. Obviously that milk didn’t have a long shelf life and we would just get it out as fast as we could to the places we could. Having fresh milk donated by MMPA that had time on it and that we could properly distribute to everyone who needed it was a luxury we never had before. MMPA is the cornerstone of our milk program and it’s now one of the great examples that Feeding America showcases at a national level. Our relationship with MMPA is special.

How can someone help donate milk to their food bank?
Someone looking to donate dairy to the Food Bank Council of Michigan can buy gallons of milk online at https://vfd.fbcmich.org/shopping/. You can also contact your regional food bank to make a donation designated for purchasing dairy products.

Journey from the Farm to the Food Insecure

Supplying fresh milk to all 83 counties in Michigan requires extensive reliance on numerous industry partners and precise transportation logistics. The unique partnership between MMPA, the Food Bank Council of Michigan (FBCM) and Kroger’s Michigan Dairy makes what was once an improbable feat of supplying those in need in all corners of Michigan with fresh dairy, into a well-oiled machine providing a mainstay product that those who are food insecure can rely on today. The donation model that MMPA helped establish with FBCM and Michigan Dairy, has since been replicated in other states in the country. Take a look at the journey milk takes from MMPA member farms to the food insecure in your local communities.

1. MMPA Member Farm
Every donation of milk begins on member farms. Dairy farms are critical components of their local communities and caring for those in need comes second nature. For nearly a decade now, MMPA has worked with their member owners to facilitate their generous donation of fresh, wholesome milk. Since 2015, MMPA has donated nearly 342,000 gallons of milk.

2. Processor
After donated milk is picked up from the farm, it is brought to Michigan Dairy, a Kroger plant in Livonia, Michigan. At the plant, the milk is unloaded and is pasteurized and bottled into gallon jugs that are ready for consumers. Michigan Dairy generously donates the use of their plant and the milk’s processing and packaging.

3. Food Bank
From Michigan Dairy, the gallons of milk are distributed to the seven food banks in Michigan based on the orders they place to the FBCM. Each food bank is allocated a certain amount of milk determined by Feeding America and based on the number of people who are food insecure in the region. The allocation process ensures that milk is distributed fairly based on communities’ needs.

4a. Food Pantries
The 2,800 brick-and-mortar food pantries that the FBCM partners with can then place their order online with their region’s food bank to either pick up their milk or have it delivered. A challenge with supplying food pantries with dairy is their infrastructure and access to keep milk safely in a cooler. The FBCM’s partnership with the United Dairy Industry of Michigan looked to overcome that by supplying food pantries grant opportunities to receive a milk cooler.

4b. Mobile Distribution Centers
Milk can also be distributed via mobile distribution centers. The nearly 3,000 distribution sites were a major success during the COVID-19 pandemic because they allowed volunteers to distribute food outdoors. The distribution center orders food online from the food bank, just like the brick-and-mortar food pantries. After receiving their shipment, the milk is held in a large, refrigerated truck and cars line up to receive a box of food ﬁlled with fresh produce, dairy products and other goods.

5. The Food Insecure
Finally, from the food pantry and mobile distribution center, the gallons of milk end up in the hands of those in need, supplying the nine essential nutrients and helping round out a healthy diet. Today, approximately 1.9 million Michiganders are food insecure and with the current economic climate, the number is predicted to continue to grow. MMPA, FBCM and Michigan Dairy are committed to continue ﬁghting hunger and providing dairy to those in need.

This article was originally published in the May/June 2022 issue of the Milk Messenger. Subscribe »

2021 OYDC Finalists: Adam & Charlie Freis

Adam and Charlie Freis

Local, District: U.P. West Central Local, District 4
Number of Milk Cows: 230
Total Acres Operated: 500

Adam and Charlie are the definition of a true team. On their family’s farm, Freis Dairy LLC, Adam milks, feeds and does the field work, while Charlie cares for the calves, manages the breeding program and is responsible for the herd’s health. Together, they’re also raising six-year-old Rylyn who loves every part of the dairy farm! Adam and Charlie are high achievers with both of them receiving Menominee County Farm Bureau Young Farmer Achievement Awards.

Q&A:

Q: What’s your favorite season on the farm? Why?
Adam: Spring. Who doesn’t like chisel plowing?
Charlie: Summer because everything is easier when it’s warm.

Q: What do you love about being a farmer?
Adam: Everything but the bills.
Charlie: The lifestyle.

Q: Ultimate cow? Sired by who? Average production?
Adam: Any HoJo sired by an excellent JUI bull. Production… infinite.
Charlie: 189 sired by Lazarith. Peak production at 127 lbs.

Q: Why do you milk cows?
Charlie: It all started from a hobby.

Q: Farm management style in three words.
Adam: Work in progress

Q: If you were given $1 million dollars to invest in your farm, what would you do with it?
Adam and Charlie: Pay it off

Q: What are you known for on the farm?
Adam: Muscle. My wife’s the brain.

On their farm:

If you visit their farm in the western U.P., you’ll directly see the impact of Adam and Charlie’s forward-thinking nature. They recognize the challenges facing the dairy industry today and are proactively managing potential risks by breeding the majority of their herd to A2A2 sires in the event that the A2 milk market reaches them. In the future, they’d like to grow their farm and build a heifer facility.

This article was originally published in the May/June 2022 issue of the Milk Messenger. Subscribe »

Excellence in Dairy Promotion: Born in Detroit. Built to Promote.

Life rarely follows a linear path. It often seems more like an approach with three steps forward and one step backwards that ends up with you leaving a zigzagging trail behind you. Regardless of the path though, the moments where you change direction are pivotal, and for Cheri Chapin, the recipient of the Excellence in Dairy Promotion award presented by the United Dairy Industry of Michigan, those moments changed her entire life.

“I was raised in the Detroit area. My brother and I both went up to Michigan State University for college and it ended up that my brother and Doug were thrown together as roommates,” Chapin said about meeting her now husband, Doug Chapin, a dairy farmer. “That’s how I met Doug. I never would have met a farmer otherwise. That doesn’t happen in the college of business.”

And now here she is, an owner of Chapin Family Farms in Remus, Michigan. Together, along with her husband and current MMPA Board Chairman, Doug Chapin; her son, Sam; and her daughter-in-law, Micah, they milk over 700 cows in a double-18 parlor.

“Who would have thought I’d end up on a dairy farm?” Chapin said. “Honestly even in my wildest dreams, I never would’ve thought.”

A Dream Unimagined

Chapin’s original plans with her business degree were to go into travel, either becoming an interpreter or a travel agent. Now, she’s utilizing that passion to promote dairy on international missions.

“Now I get to travel as much I want to,” Chapin said. “When I was on the National Dairy Board, I got to go to Tokyo and Hong Kong on a dairy mission trip. We were promoting American cheese.”

The mission trips are filled with receptions with key stakeholders, visits to markets that promote dairy products, and trips to area culinary schools. For Chapin, the trip was “six days of non-stop” promoting. “We’d start first thing in the morning and go until whatever reception or dinner was in the evening. It was great.”

“Hong Kong was really cool because that’s the kind of place where I never thought I’d go,” Chapin said. “We went to the top of this huge skyscraper and to look out and see nothing but people and realize how dense their population is, it was very overwhelming to think of how many people they have to feed and how American dairy can be a part of that.”

For Chapin though, her initial interest in promoting dairy and seeing it as a solution to markets hungry for dairy, like what she experienced in Hong Kong, began on her own farm with MMPA’s Dairy Communicator program.

The World of Dairy Promotion

“Doug was an officer for the Alma Local and they had to put someone’s name down on the ballot as Dairy Communicator,” Chapin said. “They wanted to add one more name, so he said, ‘I put your name down.’ And I said, ‘Oh really? What do I have to do?’”
From there, Chapin jumped headfirst into the world of dairy promotion, realizing that she had the background to make a significant difference.

“Because I didn’t have a farm background, I was aware of misconceptions that the general public has, and I thought it was important that we get the right story out,” Chapin said. “I knew what people wanted to know. I knew what kind of questions they had. For example, how many teats does a cow have? Do they all have the same? You know, it sounds like a stupid question, but it’s not. There are no dumb questions.”
Seeing things through consumers’ eyes, Chapin and her sister-in-law began working with schools to do farm tours.

Her sister-in-law would do an ag in the classroom presentation and then Chapin would help her conduct the farm tour.

“We formulated our own stations for the farm tours,” Chapin said. “We had a show cow that we’d bring out so the kids could come up close and touch, we’d have cows in the parlor so that they could actually strip a cow out, and then at the end of the tour everybody got an ice cream bar.”

Their farm tours made a lasting difference in their community. “I’ll talk to people who are adults with their own kids now and say, I still remember going to your farm when I was a kid,” Chapin said. Her promotion work extends beyond farm tours as well, including donating milk to local 5Ks, organizing grocery store dairy sampling and more.

A Story to Tell

For Chapin, every moment can be used to promote dairy. When Chapin Family Farm was hit with a tornado last summer that destroyed a barn and injured animals, she used the commotion from the press to make lasting relationships with news reporters. Those relationships have since made her their contact of choice when it comes to any dairy related stories, and she ensured that she invited them back out after the barn was rebuilt to help share a positive story about dairy, showcasing recovery from the natural disaster and a dairy farm doing what they do best, caring for animals in the best way possible.

While media attention is something that most farmers shy away from, Chapin embraced it. She went from someone who knew nearly nothing about dairy when she first married Doug, to now promoting it around the world. Her success and aptitude for promoting dairy, wouldn’t have been possible without relying on the advice she had received from others over the years.

Cheri Chapin (center) with Sharon Toth, past CEO of United Dairy Industry of Michigan (left) and Corby Werth, UDIM president (right).

“I was told right from the get-go, if you ever have a question that you don’t know the answer to, you say, ‘I can’t answer that, but I can find it out for you. Let me get your name and number and I will call the right people.’” Chapin said about the advice she received in the Dairy Diplomat program, a former UDIM program that served as a local outreach arm. “I’ve relied on that a lot of times. I’ve done some research for people when I haven’t known an answer.”

Chapin’s willingness to learn and share what she’s learned with consumers is what earned her the Excellence in Dairy Promotion award announced from the United Dairy Industry of Michigan during the Great Lakes Regional Dairy Conference in early 2022.

“I enjoy it when I can share information that really surprises people. When you can tell them a fact about dairy and they say, ‘Really? I did not know that.” Chapin said. “That makes it all worthwhile. Dairy has a great story, we just have to share it.”

This article was originally published in the May/June 2022 issue of the Milk Messenger. Subscribe »

Milestone Members: Evidence that Moving Forward is Possible

As long-time members of MMPA, 35- and 50-year members’ experiences overcoming the changes in markets, regulations and leadership within the industry over the past many years serve as evidence that moving forward is possible. The knowledge and wisdom that they share within their community ensures the success of the dairy industry and MMPA for many years to come. Our cooperative wouldn’t be the same today without their presence and leadership. Thank you, 35- and 50-year members for your dedication and service to MMPA.

35 Year Members:

Everett William Bone
Duane G Cumper
John W Cumper
Brian Eldred
Jack D Fisk
Martin C Fox
Fred Heinze
James A Huggett
Peter Kurncz
Bruce Litwiller
Jane Sias Mamarrow
Michael J Rasmussen
Gary Schultz
Iris R Stout
Carol Baker
David Klamer
Edward Adamic

50 Year Members:

Richard Fettig
Wayne Hecksel
Richard Heyboer
Donald Judge
Kenneth Van Polen

Donald Judge

Hometown: Shepherd, Michigan
Contract Date: March 1972
Number of Generations on the Farm: 4
Milking Herd Size: 475

How was your farm started?
My dad bought it in 1936. He milked 13 cows by hand for the first two or three years and then got a milk machine and it grew from there.

What do you enjoy most about being a dairy farmer?
The cows and calves.

Where do you think the future of the industry is heading?
Well, it’s pretty decent. It’s a lot of up and down stuff all the time.

How has MMPA helped your farm succeed?
Got a good market for our milk.

What words of wisdom would you like to share with fellow members?
Just keep up the good work.

Dick Fettig

Hometown: Petoskey, Michigan
Contract Date: February 1972
Number of Generations on the Farm: 3
Milking Herd Size: 200

How was your farm started?
My dad started it with a stall barn milking about 30 cows in the 50s.

Where do you think the future of the industry is heading?
Looks like it’s getting bigger and bigger farms.

How has MMPA helped your farm succeed?
The milk truck is there every other day! For a long time, I had a 1,300-gallon tank and I filled it and they came every day for 30 years. I just put a new tank in.

What’s made you remain an MMPA member for so long?
Well I’ve been a delegate for the last 25 years.

What words of wisdom would you like to share with fellow members?
I would say take care of the younger ones because they are the generation that’s coming up. Pass the farms on if you can.

This article was originally published in the May/June 2022 issue of the Milk Messenger. Subscribe »

MMPA Delegates Gather to Conduct Association Business

Through navigating challenges in the supply chain to seizing partnership opportunities, the Michigan Milk Producers Association was focused on leading the cooperative through the new landscape of 2021 through the fiscal year. MMPA delegates who gathered for the 106th Annual Delegate Meeting of MMPA on March 24 at the Lansing Center in Lansing, Michigan, learned how MMPA is taking charge of that change for the betterment of all cooperative stakeholders.

MMPA delegates and guests learned how the financial success achieved through 2021 laid the groundwork to drive more change within the industry through 2022 and beyond, which included the acquisition of three new subsidiaries: Superior Dairy, Creative Edge and LEL Logistics. The new combined organization creates a manufacturing and innovation campus with four facilities in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana and will provide a greater focus on go-to market strategies.

2021 was full of change—for our communities, our consumers and our cooperative. MMPA delegates gathered to conduct business during the Annual Delegate Meeting to take charge of that change for the betterment of all cooperative stakeholders.

Milestone Members

During the Annual Meeting, MMPA members reaching 35 and 50 years of membership were recognized.

35-Year Members:

Everett W. Bone, Frankenmuth Local, District 7
Duane G. Cumper, Mid-Sanilac Local, District 8
John W. Cumper, Mid-Sanilac Local, District 8
Brian Eldred, Alma Local, District 5
Jack Fisk, Grand Rapids Local, District 3
Martin C. Fox, Clare-Mt Pleasant Local, District 7
Fred Heinze, Mid-Michigan Local, District 6
James A. Huggett, Barry-Eaton Local, District 2
Peter Kurncz, Mid-Michigan Local, District 6
Bruce Litwiller, Alma Local, District 5
Jane Sias Mamarow, Saline-Ann Arbor Local, District 1
Michael J. Rasmussen, Alma Local, District 5
Gary Schultz, Mid-Sanilac Local, District 8
Iris R. Stout, Adrian Local, District 1
Carol Baker, Hillsdale-Litchfield Local, District 1
David Klamer, Grand Rapids Local, District 3

50-Year Members:

Richard Fettig, Upstate Local, District 4
Wayne Hecksel, Muskegon Local, District 3
Richard Heyboer, Lansing Local, District 2
Donald Judge, Alma Local, District 5
Kenneth Van Polen, Evart Local, District 5

MMPA Annual Meeting 2022

Joe Diglio, MMPA President & CEO

MMPA PRESIDENT AND CEO JOE DIGLIO DISCUSSED HOW MMPA IS TAKING CHARGE OF CHANGE THROUGH THE ACQUISITION OF SUPERIOR DAIRY, CONTINUOUSLY ASSESSING NEW BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES AND REMAINING ALIGNED IN PURSUING A VISION.

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MMPA Annual Report: 2021 in Review

Heritage Ridge Creamery Cheese Places in National Championship Cheese Contest

Colby-jack and Pepper-jack cheese produced under the Heritage Ridge Creamery brand at Michigan Milk Producer Associations’ Middlebury, Indiana, cheese plant snagged two third-place awards in the National Milk Producers Federation cheese contest.

MMPA Milk Production Increases

MMPA milk production in fiscal year 2021 increased 3.24 percent compared to the prior fiscal year, with the later part of the fiscal year showing small growth rates.

MMPA Donates Milk to Support Benton Harbor Residents

MMPA partnered with Kroger Michigan Dairy, the United Dairy Industry of Michigan and the Food Bank Council of Michigan to donate milk to the residents of Benton Harbor, Michigan to help in their efforts to combat lead.

MMPA Dairy Care Academy Launched On-Demand Training

Dairy Care Academy, a free MMPA employee training program, launched an online training platform available on-demand at any time.

MMPA Butter Earns National Recognition

In the World Dairy Expo Championship Dairy Product Contest, MMPA won first place in unsalted butter from the Ovid, Michigan plant, while butter from the Constantine, Michigan plant earned second place for salted butter.

This article was originally published in the March/April 2022 issue of the Milk Messenger. Subscribe »

Milk Minute: Taking Charge of Change

By Doug Chapin, MMPA Board Chairman

We have several unknowns in the marketplace today. We’re still facing supply chain and logistic issues from the COVID-19 pandemic, and now are dealing with inflation and the conflict in Eastern Europe. All of these cause worry and concern, but I think we should take a minute and acknowledge the strong position that dairy is in today.

Here, within the U.S., the average person consumed 655 pounds of dairy products. That is a 22 percent improvement since 1975, and an all-time high. Our consumers may have changed the products that drive that consumption, but our dairy products are desired and sought out by our customers, who recognize the nutrition, taste and value of dairy products. We are a staple of almost every home in America.

We also experienced a record year in exports by exporting over 17 percent of the milk we produce. We set a record in both value and volume of dairy leaving the U.S. The world also recognizes and desires the nutrition, taste and value that United States dairy can provide.

This progress is a result of taking charge of change within the industry. The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) is heading up efforts to make a positive change in their approach to the Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO). They are not content to just tweak it but want to make changes that set us up to move forward in the coming years. NMPF is committed to a plan that works for producers and it is important that the industry goes forward together. We cannot allow the industry to become divided by regional issues. We must be one voice to accomplish the modernization of the FMMO.

An area where your association has taken charge of change is in the purchase of Superior Dairy on December 31, 2021. The acquisition was the culmination of years of working together. Superior’s management team and MMPA’s board of directors met several times over the preceding years. After months of discussion, the path forward was clear. Everyone from our board of directors and our management team to Superior’s management team and ownership, was aligned on the acquisition of LEL and their three subsidiaries: Superior Dairy, LEL Logistics and Creative Edge.

Today, we can use our combined strengths of innovation, processing, marketing, management and a premium milk supply not only to better serve customers but also bring value to all of our member owners. With the purchase completed and behind us, we are looking to the challenges ahead of us. The alignment that all parties had at the purchase, was based on the opportunities in front of us.

I know 2021 was a year of tight margins and I know the dairy markets have been difficult the last several years. I’m not going to deny that we had challenges in the past, that we have challenges yet today and we will have challenges facing us tomorrow. I just hope that as dairy producers, we can take some time to recognize that today we have record prices, record exports and record per capita consumption here in the U.S. We need to relish in that success knowing that the market doesn’t change the focus of your board of directors or management team. We continue to search for opportunities to increase the value of our milk and grow and strengthen the co-op. We are always looking at ways to take charge of change.

This article was originally published in the March/April 2022 issue of the Milk Messenger. Subscribe »

Down to Earth: Koppenol Dairy Farms Named MMPA Quality Award Winner

Koppenol Dairy Farms’ down to earth attitude and dedication to quality milk earned them the MMPA Top Quality Award in 2022.

There is no one size fits all approach when it comes to farming. There isn’t a guaranteed route to success. There isn’t a single practice that can bring you to the top of the ranks for milk quality. It all comes down to what fits you and your operation. As a farm who chases quality milk, and this year’s MMPA Top Quality Award Winners, the Koppenol family may know that best.

“Every farmer has his own practices,” Al Koppenol said. “When looking around, I am amazed that somebody can skip certain steps and still do a great job. Farming is a unique business because of that.”

Despite the differences, Al, along with his wife Deb, daughter Robin and farmhand Ken Raterink, know what works on their farm in Coopersville, Michigan. This past year, their herd produced the highest quality milk of Michigan Milk Producers Association with an average somatic cell count of 41,000, earning the the MMPA Top Quality Award.

“Like I said, everything doesn’t work on my farm that seems to work on the neighbors, but I find out what works and then I go with it,” Al said.

For the Koppenols, a major key to their success is enjoying their work and relying on family. With three children of their own and 10 grandchildren, hands are plentiful on the farm and farming is a family affair.

“For some of the grandkids, farming is in their blood,” Al said. “The boys will take and windrow sand. I don’t know if they’ll ever farm, but it is neat to see that they have picked up something from that. And all of them have helped us somewhat, somewhere, along the way.”

In addition to the Koppenol’s focus on family, is their reliance on faith and prayer to face the challenges that are unique to farming.

“The Lord is a big part in how the weather conducts itself for us,” Al recognizes. “If we don’t get the crops in on time or don’t get the rain we need, every year is a unique year.”

Despite the uniqueness, the Koppenols do have a couple tried and true practices that they rely on to produce quality milk. Al has two secrets to success. First, “take advice from different sources and try to be open-minded.” And second, “try to enjoy your job and by enjoying your job, you will do a better job.”

Making Proactive Choices

Al’s focus on enjoying his job lends to making proactive decisions to ensure the health and safety of his herd and employees. Happy cows and happy employees are two fundamentals for the Koppenols, and really every dairy farmer, to maximize the enjoyment they get from a job that can be difficult at times.

“I want cows that can be milked by somebody else and they’ll be done right. We also want them to be able to adapt and have sound feet,” Al said. “If they have an issue this year, they’ll have it next year.”

For example, a cow that’s slow to milk out has a higher risk of developing mastitis, an infection in the udder, and Al and his team proactively prevent problems before they happen. The Koppenols rely on a genetic servicer that matches their cows with bulls that can bring out desired traits, helping guarantee that their herd is
“an honor and joy to milk.”

Finding Joy in the Process

Finding joy in the process is something every Koppenol involved in the farm has in their blood.

“When I was a kid, I would go out in the barn and I’d feed this cow a flat of hay and I’d sit there and watch her eat it. And I look back and it’s just part of me,” Al said. “I can’t tell one car from another, but I can tell my cows from the other.”

This passion for the industry and the work he does is one of the many reasons Al cites for the Koppenols receiving the prestigious award twice in the past decade. First in 2016, and now again in 2021.

“If you can enjoy it, then the rest comes too,” Al said. “I look back and I produce more milk in one day than my dad probably did in a week and maybe even longer.” And Deb is quick to interject, “And the quality can be good too!”

With their extensive history in dairying stretching three generations in the Coopersville area, the Koppenols recognize the changing times and the effect it has had on milk quality, all indicating the continued improvement in the years to come.

“If I look at somatic cell counts 30 years ago, I wouldn’t have believed that MMPA as an organization could have them down where they are, but when I look back at what I’ve done versus where my dad was, we have come a long way,” Al said. “A lot has gone in to get the somatic cell counts down and a lot will go into getting any other problems solved, but it will take tiny steps.”

Recognizing the challenges that are ahead in the industry fuels the Koppenols even more when it comes to producing quality milk.

“With all the different types of milk that they’re trying to come up with, we have to do a good job,” Al said. And with a laugh, “I don’t think almond milk has a high somatic cell count.”

With the challenges ahead, an ever- volatile market and strong legislative headwinds, Al shares this advice, “pay attention to everything you do, try to be consistent and pray.”

For those farmers looking to make a difference in their milk quality, “don’t expect it to jump from 300,000 to 50,000 in one night, because it’s not going to. It’s a slow process. You have to work at it. But, it can be done.”

This article was originally published in the March/April 2022 issue of the Milk Messenger. Subscribe »

Bacteria Counts 101

From Somatic Cell Counts (SCC) to bacteria counts to component testing, the multitude of tests to be performed on milk samples seem to be endless. At times, SCC may seem like the end-all be-all for milk quality, yet there are many more tests used to determine quality and the pay price on your milk check. Bacteria counts—on raw, pre-incubated, and lab pasteurized milk—are tests performed by the Novi laboratory to help determine milk quality. Here’s what you need to know about these bacteria counts, what they mean and how you can improve your results:

Raw Bacteria Count – RBC

Overview: RBC is also sometimes referred to as PLC or official. Prior to testing, milk samples are maintained at 32 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit and then tested on the BactoScan. The BactoScan is an instrument that electronically measures the bacteria levels in milk.

Testing frequency: Once per month minimum, tested more frequently by request.

Premiums: Premium of 5 cents per cwt. is added if raw result is equal to or below 10,000 Colony Forming Units (cfu) per millimeter (mL). There will be a deduction of 10 cents per cwt. for a raw result greater than 100,000 cfu/mL. For more information on premiums, see page 33. The required test performed each month is also a regulatory test. The bacteria count for each producer is shared with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development as a requirement of holding a Grade A permit. It is illegal to sell milk with a RBC greater than 100,000 cfu/mL.

Ways to improve results on the farm: High RBC results can be related to poor cooling in the bulk tank; warmer temperatures allow bacteria to multiply faster than cooler temperatures. Dirty milking equipment can also impact these counts. It is also important to ensure udder prep is satisfactory. On rare occasions, a cow can shed enough bacteria in her milk to elevate this count, these cows can be identified by a high SCC.

Excellent	Good	Warning	Action Needed
1,000-5,000 cfu/mL	5,000-10,000 cfu/mL	10,000-50,000 cfu/mL	50,000 cfu/mL and above

Pre-Incubated Count – PIC

Overview: To perform this test, the milk sample is pre-incubated at 55 degrees Fahrenheit for 18 hours prior to testing it on the BactoScan. The 55 degrees Fahrenheit incubation is an optimal growth temperature for psychrotrophic (cold-loving) bacteria. An elevated result could indicate the presence of a spoilage organism.

Testing frequency: Once per month minimum, tested more frequently by request.

Premiums: Premium of 5 cents per cwt. is added if PI result is equal to or below 20,000 cfu/mL.

Ways to improve results on the farm: Hot water used for Clean In Place (CIP) milking equipment should be 160-180 degrees Fahrenheit at the faucet, as milking equipment cleanliness is critical to achieving a good score on this test. Key places to check for cleanliness of milking equipment include: receiver, milking claws, inflations, swingline and bulk tank. The bulk tank should also be cooled to less than 40 degrees Fahrenheit within one hour of the end of milking. Elevated temperatures allow bacteria to multiply more quickly. Poor udder prep can elevate bacteria levels as well, be sure to check the filter sock after each milking shift, a clean sock with little debris will reflect adequate udder prep.

Excellent	Good	Warning	Action Needed
1,000-5,000 cfu/mL	5,000-20,000 cfu/mL	20,000-100,000 cfu/mL	100,000 cfu/mL and above

Lab Pasteurized Counts – LPC

Overview: The LPC is the number of bacteria per ml of milk which survive laboratory pasteurization at 143 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes. Thermoduric bacteria can survive pasteurization because they have developed mechanisms to resist heat and other lethal agents such as sanitizers. Most of these bacteria have an ability to create a protective shell called a spore making it very tough to kill. When looking at the results in the mailer or on the MMPA website, this test is referred to as “PAST.”

Testing frequency: LPC tests are performed by request of the member. Several customers also request/require LPC results on all members serving their facility.

Premiums: LPC is not a regulatory test and there is currently no premium for LPC results.

Ways to improve score on the farm: Prevent higher LPC results by checking the rubber components of equipment, such as milk hoses and line gaskets, for cracks and cleanliness. Any leaky gaskets should be replaced immediately. As rubber parts age, cracks start to form and bacteria collects in those cracks. Overall cleanliness of equipment can also improve results. Extended milking time of eight hours or more can lead to higher LPC results because the longer milking period creates a warmer environment for bacteria to multiply quickly. It is important to change the filter sock every four to five hours and perform at least two complete washes every 24 hours.

Excellent	Good	Warning	Action Needed
less than 10-30 cfu/mL	30-50 cfu/mL	50-200 cfu/mL	200 cfu/mL and above

This article was originally published in the January/February 2022 issue of the Milk Messenger. Subscribe »

Milk Minute: Continued Financial Strength Driven by Strategic Initiatives

By Tom Downey, MMPA Chief Financial Officer

In 2021, MMPA continued strengthening our overall financial position in a variety of ways, an accomplishment the entire MMPA staff contributed to. Though I recently joined MMPA as chief financial officer earlier this year, in this time, I have enjoyed working alongside MMPA’s staff, board of directors and independent auditors to ensure your cooperative is in good financial health.

In the past year, we marketed 4.7 billion pounds of milk, a 3 percent increase year-over-year. Despite the growth in volume, we were able to reduce our controllable costs relative to last year by undertaking multiple expense rationalization exercises. These expense reduction efforts were accomplished via teaming across multiple MMPA departments and represent a significant win given the current inflationary environment.

Looking towards our balance sheet, we have reduced our debt to the lowest level in the past 10 years while also continuing to increase our equity position. Driven by the health of our balance sheet, MMPA made a strategic decision to reduce our net savings in 2021 relative to historical targets which allowed MMPA to return more cash to our members.

MMPA’s long-term debt to equity ratio, an industry standard used by lenders to determine the risk associated with lending to an entity, is extremely strong relative to other market participants. You can think of this value as how much of the co-op’s assets are owned by our members, versus how much is owned by our lenders. Our current debt to equity ratio poises us for future growth, ensuring that we’ll be able to have access to capital markets to facilitate growth opportunities.

As a result of reducing controllable costs and strengthening our balance sheet, the market adjustment was reduced compared to the previous fiscal year. MMPA also paid $23.6 million in producer incentives, returned patronage of $1.4 million to members and distributed 2011 equity of $4.2 million.

During fiscal year 2021, we saw a tightening of the milk market relative to recent historical levels. A number of market dynamics contributed to this tightening (labor shortages, the Glanbia plant reaching full capacity, etc.), but the reduction in available supply has allowed additional plant capacity providing greater flexibility to service our customers.

Overall, MMPA is in a solid financial position that sets us up for future success. Our entire team will continue to take deliberate and measured actions to ensure that we continue to market our members milk to the greatest advantage possible. Thank you to all MMPA members for the opportunity to work for and serve you. I’m excited for what the future has in store.

This article was originally published in the January/February 2022 issue of the Milk Messenger. Subscribe »

2021 OYDC Finalists: Ryan and Katie Schumacher

Ryan and Katie Schumacher

Hometown: Kingston, MI
Local: Deford/Clifford-Mayville
District: 7

Ryan and Katie Schumacher are not afraid to jump in and take charge in leadership positions within their community. Ryan and Katie are active in Bay County Farm Bureau and their local counties’ 4-H programs. They are also parents to toddler Trey, and soon-to-be parents to a new baby Schumacher due March 2022! The future of their farm keeps them on their toes and gives them long-term perspective on the decisions they make today.

Q&A:

Q: What do you love about being a farmer?
Being able to supply quality, nutritional food for my community.

Q: What’s the key to running a dairy farm?
Flexibility.

Q: What’s your favorite chore?
Feeding calves. Who doesn’t like baby calves?

Q: How can someone easily improve their milk quality?
Knowing their herd. By knowing your herd, you can improve genetics and improve overall herd health.

Q: Describe your farm management style in three words.
Improvement never stops.

Q: If you were given $1 million to invest in your farm, what would you do with it?
Improve heifer facilities and our feeding program.

Q: What does your farm look like in 30 years?
Hopefully helping and overseeing the next generation take over the farm and guiding them in managing a successful farm that my parents put their heart and soul into starting.

On Their Farm

The Schumachers know what it takes to implement change on a dairy farm all for the sake of better milk quality. They started milking in their family’s stantion barn and recently transitioned to two robots on their farm in Kingston, Michigan. This change, paired with upgrading their production record system and using the Central Star breeding program has set them up for greater genetic potential and better milk quality.

This article was originally published in the January/February 2022 issue of the Milk Messenger. Subscribe »

Dairy Care Academy: Investing in your workforce

As we continue to face a labor shortage across the country, it’s arguably more crucial than ever before for farms to invest in their employees. An easy way to help retain the employees your farm currently has is to ensure that in addition to being respected and valued, they are properly trained in how to do their everyday tasks with opportunities to continuously learn and improve.

MMPA offers Dairy Care Academy, a free animal care training program for farm owners and employees. Designed to help farms meet the Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) program training requirements, it also educates employees and improves on-farm performance.

In-Person Training

Throughout the month of February, MMPA members can send employees or family members to in-person Dairy Care Academy trainings in Lansing, Michigan on February 15 and in Clare, Michigan on February 23. The interactive, day-long training is broken into three sessions: milking practices, dairy stockmanship and calf care.

During the event, participants will watch demonstrations, participate in hands-on activities and receive a free lunch. Participants in attendance go back to the farm with a printed certificate of completion and each member farm will receive a list of their employees who attended to meet FARM program training documentation needs.

Registration is required to attend and can be completed at https://bit.ly/DCARegistration22. To learn more, visit mimilk.com/DCA or contact your member representative.

Virtual Training

For those who are unable to join the in-person sessions, members and employees can enroll in a virtual Dairy Care Academy training scheduled for February 24. This training opportunity is a virtual replication of traditional Dairy Care Academy programming that will include live training covering the traditional topics of milking practices, dairy stockmanship and calf care.

Just like during an in-person training, participants can ask questions, interact with speakers and will receive a certificate of completion. Each member farm will also receive a list of their employees who attended to meet FARM program training documentation needs.

Registration is required to attend and can be completed at https://bit.ly/DCARegistration22. To learn more, visit mimilk.com/DCA or contact your member representative.

Online, On-Demand Training

MMPA members also continue to have access to an on-demand, FARM program compliant online training platform that covers the traditional Dairy Care Academy topics of milking practices, calf management and dairy stockmanship along with the latest FARM program required training areas of euthanasia, non-ambulatory animal management and fitness to transport.

The six different topics are complete courses with videos and resources compiled by the MMPA Dairy Care Academy team from reputable sources, making it easy for members and farm employees to complete the course relevant to their role on the farm, take a quiz covering what they have learned and receive a printable certificate if they score 80 percent or better on the quiz.

This training resource is available year-round for unlimited use whenever a new employee is hired, retraining is necessary or simply to brush up on your skills. To access the online platform, visit the Member Portal and select the Dairy Care Academy link on the homepage or ask your member representative for details.

Successful dairy operations rely on quality employee training to keep all animal caretakers on task and performing best practices. Dairy Care Academy teaches farm employees how to provide excellent care to animals, preventing cutting corners and improving adherence to best practices. Farms that benefit the most from training are those that commit to incorporating best procedures taught to employees on their farm. Setting expectations and evaluating adherence to procedures long-term are surefire ways to build a successful farm team.

This article was originally published in the January/February 2022 issue of the Milk Messenger. Subscribe »