Platinum winners dairy in Michigan, Minnesota, New York and Wisconsin
New Prague, MN (January 31, 2024) – Six dairies garnered accolades from the National Mastitis Council (NMC) for achieving Platinum in the group’s National Dairy Quality Awards (NDQA) program. The Platinum Award winners are Fessenden Dairy, King Ferry, N.Y.; Larson Acres Inc., Evansville, Wis.; Michigan State University Training and Research Center, Lansing, Mich.; Naatz Dairy Farm, Mantorville, Minn.; RKB Dairy (Randy and Kathy Bauer), Faribault, Minn.; and Stuart Farms Inc., Lowell, Mich.
In addition to the six Platinum winners, there were 15 Gold and 18 Silver NDQA winners (listed below). These farms were selected from 66 nominations submitted for the 2023 awards. Farms were nominated by professionals, such as dairy plant field staff, veterinarians, extension specialists and Dairy Herd Improvement supervisors, who serve the dairy industry.
Gold
Garlomar Farms Inc., Falmouth, Mich.
Hendel Farms, Caledonia, Minn.
Horning Farms LLC, Manchester, Mich.
Jagiello Dairy Farm LLC, Lena, Wis.
Lightland Farm, LLC, Stanley, N.Y.
Maly Farms, Bryant, Wis.
F.W. Rahn and Sons, Eden, Wis.
Reuter Farms, Hastings, Minn.
Sunridge Dairy, Nampa, Idaho
Theisen Family Farm LLC, Campbellsport, Wis.
Tollgate Holsteins, Ancramdale, N.Y.
Trailside Holsteins, Fountain, Minn.
TW Dairy Farm LLC, North Collins, N.Y.
Rick Vanvliet & Family Dairy, New Plymouth, Idaho
Willow Bend Farm LLC Bonna Terra, Bloomfield, N.Y.
Silver
Brearley Farms Inc., Portland, Mich.
Clearview Dairy Farm LLC, Martin, Mich.
Dimock Farms LLC, Peru, New York
Dinnerbell Farm, LLC, Eden, Wis.
Dorner Farms, Luxemburg, Wis.
Evergreen Dairy Farm LLC, St. Johns, Mich.
S&L Goebel, Fond du Lac, Wis.
Hirsch Dairy Farm LLC, Alexander, N.Y.
Holger LRS Farm, Hersey, Mich.
Kehljam, Inc., Strykersville, N.Y.
Ketchum Farms, Utica, Minn.
Michels Farm, Lomira, Wis.
Nathan Neeper, Wapakoneta, Ohio
Ping Dairy, Eubank, Ky.
Schroeder Bros. LLC, Caledonia, Minn.
Schultz Dairy LLC, Sandusky, Mich.
Williamson Farms LLC, Seymour, Wis.
Matthew Zimmerman, Ashland, Ohio
NDQA judges considered many criteria when reviewing finalists’ applications. In addition to milk quality indicators, such as somatic cell count (SCC) and standard plate count (SPC), judges looked at specific details about each operation, including milking routine, cow comfort, udder health monitoring programs, prevention and treatment programs, strategies for overall herd health and welfare, and adherence to drug use and record keeping regulations.
This year’s NDQA sponsors included Boehringer Ingelheim, GEA, Conewango, Cargill, Hoard’s Dairyman and NMC. This summer, nominee information for the 2024 NDQA program will be available on the NMC website (www.nmconline.org) and in Hoard’s Dairyman magazine.
National Mastitis Council is an international professional organization, based in Minnesota, devoted to reducing mastitis and enhancing milk quality. NMC promotes research and provides information to the dairy industry on udder health, milking management, milk quality and milk safety. Founded in 1961, NMC has about 1,000 members in more than 40 countries throughout the world.
