Two Dozen Central Minnesota Farms Honored for Excellence in Quality

(KNSI) — June is Dairy Month, and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture is recognizing several local farms for excellence in quality.

Twenty-four central Minnesota dairy farms are among 93 top herds with low somatic cell counts (SCC). Somatic cell count is a key indicator of milk quality – a lower SCC count is better for cheese production and a longer shelf life for bottled milk.

Although somatic cells occur naturally and are not a food safety concern, dairy farmers monitor them because they can be used to measure their cows’ health. Processors also pay a premium for milk with low counts. A farmer whose herd has a very low count can receive a higher price per hundredweight than a farmer whose herd average is high.

Minnesota Department of Agriculture and University of Minnesota dairy experts have worked with the state’s dairy farmers for 20 years to lower somatic cell counts.

The farms honored are:

Brandon and Jill Marshik – Benton County
Calvin Beumer – Morrison County
Chad Waltman – Morrison County
Cory and Jenna Middendorf – Stearns County
Dennis and Wayne Wolters – Morrison County
Evergreen Acres Dairy LLC #7 – Stearns County
Fussy Farm LLC – Morrison County
Jeff and Austin Middendorf – Stearns County
Jeremy and Amanda Wentland – Stearns County
Joe and Kim Engelmeyer – Stearns County
Kaylie and Bob Gruber – Morrison County
Kent Happke – Morrison County
Knisley Dairy Inc. – Stearns County
Magedanz Foreview Dairy LLC – Stearns County
Mark Flicker – Morrison County
Merdan Dairy Inc. – Stearns County
New Heights Dairy LLC – Morrison County
Paul Mehr – Stearns County
Randy and Amanda Hartung – Stearns County
Robin Winscher – Morrison County
Schefers Bros LLC- Stearns County
Schwing D. Farm – Stearns County
Scott and Denise Gathje – Stearns County
Vogt Dairy LLC – Stearns County