New Prague, MN (January 28, 2026) – NMC: The Global Milk Quality Organization recognized six dairies with Platinum recognition via its National Dairy Quality Awards (NDQA) program. The Platinum Award winners are Gettyvue Farm LLC, Brian, Kevin and Terry Getty, Granville, N.Y.; Green Hill Dairy, Donald Janssen, Scipio Center, N.Y.; Larson Acres, Mike, Sandy, Ed and Barb Larson, and Jim, Luke, Dane and Brooke Trustem, Evansville, Wis.; Schultz Dairy, Dave Schultz, Sandusky, Mich.; Tollgate Holsteins, Jim and Karen Davenport, Ancramdale, N.Y.; and Walnut Ridge Dairy, Jacob and Steve Palladino, and Keith Chapin, Lansing, N.Y.
In addition to the six Platinum winners, there were 17 Gold and 13 Silver NDQA winners (listed below). Farms were nominated by U.S. and Canadian professionals, such as dairy plant field staff, veterinarians, extension specialists and Dairy Herd Information Association supervisors, who serve the dairy industry.
Gold Winners
Cottonwood Dairy, Jim Winn and Brian and Randy Larson, South Wayne, Wis.
Crandall Dairy Farms LLC, Brad, Monica and Mark Crandall, Battle Creek, Mich.
Dorner Farms, Cory and Maria Dorner, Luxemburg, Wis.
Ehlers Family Farm, Nick and Tim Ehlers, Theresa, Wis.
Endres Berryridge Farms LLC, Randy, Jeff and Steve Endres, Waunakee, Wis.
Evergreen Dairy Farm LLC, Kris and Carla Wardin, St. Johns, Mich.
Fischer-Clark Dairy Farm, Inc., Mike, Sue, Jon and Heidi Fischer, Hatley, Wis.
Hammond Dairy Farm LLC, Derrick, Jennifer, Kim and Norman Hammond, Dowling, Mich.
Horning Farms, Earl Horning, Jeff Horning and Mason Horning, and Katelyn Packard, Manchester, Mich.
Maly Farms, Inc., Butch and Ron Maly, and Alicia Sippl, Bryant, Wis.
Maskita Farm, Kevin Ten Have, Saint-Hyacinthe, Que., Canada
Mueller Farms LLC, Dennis, Eileen, Eric and Terra Mueller, Van Dyne, Wis.
Naatz Dairy Farm, William, Karen and Tristin Naatz, Mantorville, Minn.
Pollack Dairy LLC, Ben, John and Lynn Pollack, Van Dyne, Wis.
Shady Crest Holsteins, Scott, Michelle and Ross Herber, Utica, Minn.
VanPolen Farm, Duane, Laurie, Mike and Ken VanPolen, and Bethany (VanPolen) Benson, Marion, Mich.
Wargo Acres, Craig Carncross, Lodi, Wis.
Silver Winners
Cook Farms, Jeffery T. Cook, Lansing, N.Y.
Gallager Dairy Farm Inc., Chad and Mark Beck, West Branch, Mich
Gasser Farms LLC, Virgil Gasser, Massillon, OhioGasser Farms LLC,
Virgil Gasser, Wooster, Ohio
Hafferman Hillside Dairy, Joshua Hafferman, Bowler, Wis.
Koppenol Dairy Farms Inc., Alan and Deborah Koppenol, and Ken Raterink, Coopersville, Mich.
Meffert Homestead Inc., Jeff and Luke Meffert, Waunakee, Wis.
Mierson Farms, Larry Mier, West Branch, Mich.
Mooville Dairy, Karl and MaryAnn Bontrager, Wolcottville, Ind.
Neeper Dairy, Nathan and Heather Neeper, Wapakoneta, Ohio
S & L Goebel Farms, Steve and Leo Goebel, Fond du Lac, Wis.
Stoney Acres, Bryce Harding, Wausakee, Wis.
Vevoda Dairy, John, Kris, Robert and Ronald Vevoda, Ferndale, Calif.
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, Cargill, Conewango, GEA, Hoard’s Dairyman and NMC. This summer, nominee information for the 2026 NDQA program will be available on the NMC website (www.nmconline.org) and in Hoard’s Dairyman magazine.
NMC: The Global Milk Quality Organization is a non-profit professional organization devoted to reducing mastitis and enhancing milk quality. NMC promotes research and provides science-based information to the dairy industry on udder health, milking management, milk quality, animal welfare and food safety. Founded in 1961, NMC has about 1,000 members in more than 40 countries throughout the world.
