State dairy farmers continue to show superior dairy cow care

In honor of June Dairy Month, Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Dave Frederickson recently released the annual list of 100 Minnesota dairy farms demonstrating superior dairy herd management skills. This is measured by their cows’ low somatic cell count average.

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

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.

Frederickson said producers on the top 100 list excel at long-term herd management.

“These farmers do a great job following best-management practices in caring for their dairy cows and the result is high-quality milk with low somatic cell counts,” Frederickson said. “The Minnesota Department of Agriculture and the University of Minnesota have been working with the state’s dairy farmers for years to reduce somatic cell counts and that long-term effect is paying off.”

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

The following area dairy farms made the top 100 list.

• Allan and Amanda Becker, Nelson Coop Creamery, Douglas County.

• Locker Dairy, Dairy Farmers of America, Otter Tail County.

• David Smith, Dairy Farmers of America, Otter Tail County.

• Suzanne Jacobs, Nelson Coop Creamery, Otter Tail County.

• Joseph Schmidt, Pro-Ag Farmers Coop, Otter Tail County.

• Todd Sorum, AMPI, Otter Tail County.

• James Hanson, Pro-Ag Farmers Coop, Otter Tail County.

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

• Paul or Bonnie Middendorf, Nelson Coop Creamery, Todd County.

• Collin Doherty, Nelson Coop Creamery, Douglas County.

• Daniel C. Miller, Nelson Coop Creamery, Todd County.

• Keith Middendorf, First District Association, Todd County.

• Norbert Brown, AMPI, Todd County.

• Delmar Hommerding, Bongards’ Creameries, Todd County.

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

• Seth Bulcher, Nelson Coop Creamery, Todd County.

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