More Than A Dozen Central Minnesota Dairy Farms Honored for Their Milk

(KNSI) – Stearns County has 13 dairy farms being honored for having some of the best milk in the country as National Dairy Month begins.

Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen released the annual list of top Minnesota dairy herds, which included Knisley Dairy Inc., Jeff Middendorf, Cory and Jenna Middendorf, High Point Dairy – Joe and Kim Engelmeyer, Travis and Angela Scherping, Jeremy and Amanda Wentland, Kuechle Dairy LLC, Gregory Dairy LLC, Robert and Ann Cremers, Jacob Mehr, Paul Mehr, Steve and Lori Dockendorf, and Edgar Martin.

In all, 96 Minnesota dairy farms are being recognized for superior herd management skills with milk that has low somatic cell counts (SCC).

Somatic cell count is a crucial indicator of milk quality – a lower SCC count is better for cheese production and longer shelf life for bottled milk.

“I’m honored to be able to recognize these 96 dairies for their high level of excellence,” said Commissioner Petersen. “These dairy farmers work hard 365 days a year to produce high quality, wholesome dairy products for all of us to enjoy, and I thank them for their contributions to feed Minnesota and the world.”

Although somatic cells occur naturally and are not a food safety concern, dairy farmers monitor them because they measure the health of their cows.

Processors also pay a premium for milk with low counts.

Other area dairy farms honored include Kent Happke, Denn-Mar Farm, Ackerman Farms, and Mitchell Mehrwerth farm in Benton County.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and University of Minnesota dairy experts have worked with the state’s dairy farmers to lower somatic cell counts.

When the initiative began in 2003, the 100 herds honored that year included those with SCC averages as high as 144,000, compared to the current goal of obtaining an SCC under 100,000.

June is National Dairy Month.

See the complete list of honored dairy farms here. When the initiative began in 2003, the 100 herds honored that year included those with SCC averages as high as 144,000, compared to the current goal of obtaining a SCC under 100,000.

June is National Dairy Month.

See the full list of honored dairy farms here.

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