100 dairy farmers recognized for superior herd management

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Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Gene Hugoson recently released a list of 100 dairy farmers from around the state who showed superior dairy herd management skills in 2007 as measured by their cows’ low somatic cell count average.

Somatic cell count is a key indicator of milk quality – lower is better. Although somatic cells occur naturally and are not a food-safety concern, dairy farmers and processors monitor them because milk with a high somatic cell count is less efficient for producing cheese.

Milk with a low somatic cell count also has a longer shelf life. Processors pay premiums for milk with low counts, and a farmer whose herd has a very low count can receive significantly more per hundredweight compared to a farmer whose herd average is high.

Farmers in the Douglas County region who made the list include:

• Richard Schlosser, Douglas County, Nelson Creamery Association.

• Roger and Laura Primus, Todd County, Osakis Creamery Association.

• Haberer Hill Dairy, Otter Tail County, Nelson Creamery Association.

• Joseph Schmidt, Otter Tail County, Pro Ag Farmers Co-op, Parkers Prairie.

• James Hanson, Otter Tail County, Pro Ag Farmers Co-op, Parkers Prairie.

• Scott Becker, Todd County, Nelson Creamery Association.

• Tim and Julie Bruder, Todd County, Osakis Creamery Association.

• Golberg Lakeview Dairy, Otter Tail County, Nelson Creamery Association.

• Miller Brothers, Todd County, Osakis Creamery Association.

• Glen and Rebecca Christen, Stearns County, Osakis Creamery Association.

• Cullbarr Partnership, Pope County, Nelson Creamery Association.

Commissioner Hugoson says long-range herd management is the key to making the top 100 list.

“These farmers have consistently followed the best management practices over months and years. This consistent commitment to quality results in lower somatic cell counts,” Hugoson said.

Minnesota had been among dairy states with a higher than average somatic cell counts but over the past six years the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has worked with the University of Minnesota and the state’s dairy industry to reduce somatic cell counts, thus boosting farmers’ milk quality and farm profitability.

The farmers making the top 100 list will receive a certificate of congratulations signed by Commissioner Hugoson.

Tags: somatic, cell, count, minnesota, dairy, farmers, northland, agriculture, livestock