January 2017
FIRSTHAND
MILKLINE
E WKSNLOW
E T TL E
R GE
M I L K I N D U SNT RY
ED
HIGHLIGHTS:
Attend the YC Conference p 2
Milk Labeling Standards p 3
2017 Delegate Listing p 4
Producer Discovery Workshops p 2
Keeping Trade A Priority p 3
Thank You Reid Ribble p 5
Calling Out
Dairy Imposters
the endless list of questions they have,
they’re left with absence claims, making
them believe products previously were
filled with poison, chemicals, sawdust and
whatever else.
I can’t blame them – fear marketing is
effective, especially in this day and age
where illnesses and diseases including
cancer seem so prevalent. But science
has proven that buying into these
extravagant food labels is not buying
better health for yourself.
It’s not the first time that dairy
organizations have tried to challenge
plant-based beverages being labeled and
sold as ‘milk’. And since the conversation
was first had, it appears that more plants
have joined the ‘wanna-be-milk’ club,
including hemp, pistachio, macadamia
nut and sunflower, beyond the original
three of soy, almond and rice.
However, when this recent wave of media
attention caught my eye, it seemed
different. Why? It’s old news. Of course
dairy is fighting for its shelf space back.
These beverages have been labeled
‘milk’ for a few years now. Why bother?
Because consumers are tired of it.
While colorful, gawdy labels might
persuade and attract certain consumers,
these same labels are also confusing
them – and they’re aware of it.
Consumers are truly curious, and for
FDA has the opportunity to earn
consumer confidence back by enforcing
its definition of milk, as is its responsibility.
This wouldn’t remove these plant-based
beverages from the marketplace, but it
would begin to clarify what milk really is.
In a recent article shared by NPR,
a representative from the Soyfoods
Association argued, “If you break open a
coconut, what’s inside? Coconut milk.”
I was amused to see that NPR received
so many calls from listeners, that they
actually provided an update to the article,
as listeners had pointed out “that what’s
found inside a coconut is coconut water,
not milk. Coconut milk is a product that is
made from the meat of a coconut.”
Consumers don’t want to be treated as if
they’re uneducated. They do know better,
and understand that soy, rice and almonds
don’t secrete milk. Instead, its mashed,
blended and fortified to be made as milklooking substance. And they would buy
that beverage, still knowing the difference.
Just don’t insult consumers’ intelligence
and the hard work of dairy farmers by
calling plant-based beverages ‘milk.’
Your call, FDA.
Article by Julie Martin Sweney,
FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative
Official Notice:
FarmFirst Dairy
Cooperative
5th Annual
Member Meeting
Notice is hereby given, by the President and
Secretary of FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative, a
regional cooperative with headquarters in
Madison, Wisconsin (the “Cooperative”),
pursuant to the Cooperative’s Articles
of Incorporation and Bylaws and proper
actions of the Board of Directors of the
Cooperative (the “Board”), that the regular
Annual Delegate Member Meeting of
the Cooperative will convene at 8:30
a.m. Saturday, February 11, 2017 at
the Chula Vista Resort, 2501 N. River
Road, Wisconsin Dells, Wis. for and in
consideration of action upon any and all
matters which may lawfully come before
said meeting, including but not restricted to:
1. Report on the addition of an
amendment by the Board to the
Cooperative’s Bylaws, Article III,
“Districts, Member District... Meetings
and Delegate Member Meetings”,
Section 6 “Elections”...
Continued on Page 4...
Dedicated to serving and representing you, our family farm members, FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative represents farms in Wisconsin,
Minnesota, South Dakota, Michigan, Iowa, Illinois and Indiana through policy bargaining, dairy marketing services, laboratory testing
opportunities and industry promotion.
C O NTAC T I NFO R M ATI O N
Cooperative Happenings
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President: John Rettler
Neosho, Wis. 920-625-3237
Vice President: Peter Kleiman
Wilson, Mich. 906-497-5350
Secretary: Kathy Bauer
Faribault, Minn. 507-332-2870
Treasurer: Ken Wunderlin
Livingston, Wis. 608-943-6496
Young
Cooperator
Program
Attend FarmFirst’s Young Cooperator Conference!
Young farmers are encouraged to attend the first-ever Young
Cooperator Conference taking place on Friday, February
10th! Hosted during the cooperative’s annual meeting,
YC’s will have the chance to network with other young dairy producers and attend the
Producer Discovery Workshops in addition to a YC-focused program providing one-onone conversations about managing future challenges as a young dairy producer.
Limited sponsorships are available so interested
young farmers are encouraged to contact the office as
soon as possible. Contact Julie at 608-286-1909 for
more information and to get registered!
Randy Geiger – Reedsville, Wis. 920-772-4184
Kelly King – Edgar, Wis. 715-581-3850
Richard Meyer Unity, Wis. 715-223-2058
Joe Schmitt – Holy Cross, Iowa 563-552-1135
Brian Wozniak – Stanley, Wis. 715-703-0361
Plan to Attend FarmFirst’s Producer Discovery
Workshops on Friday, Feb. 10
‘Connecting & Engaging on Common Ground’ is this year’s annual meeting
theme, focusing on future challenges the industry faces when it comes to
marketplace hurdles and consumer perception. From the workshop topics to the
business meeting discussions, delegates can look forward to focusing on how the
cooperative can continue to play an active role in protecting dairy farmers while
promoting their wholesome products.
All members are welcome and encouraged to attend this year’s Producer
Discovery Workshops, taking place Friday afternoon, on February 10, 2017 at
Chula Vista Resort in Wisconsin Dells, Wis.
This year’s Producer Discovery Workshops will feature:
Young Cooperators: Want to
be in the know for future YC
events? Submit your email
to receive the YC
e-newsletter!
MAILING ADDRESS
P.O. Box 14380
Madison, WI 53708-0380
MADISON OFFICE
4001 Nakoosa Trail, Suite 100
Madison, WI 53714
(608) 244-3373
visit us on
FarmFirstDairyCooperative.com
1:15 p.m.
What Impacts Trade & Its Value to Your Farm
Jaime Castaneda, Senior VP of Strategic Initiatives & Trade Policy
National Milk Producers Federation
2:45 p.m.
Panel: Understanding the Consumer Connection
Moderator: Mike Austin, TV & Radio Personality
Panelists will include three consumer-facing industry professionals to share their
first-hand experiences in dealing with these consumer concerns and the pressure
they’ve witnessed in the marketplace.
Be sure to take advantage of this great educational opportunity! To
ensure seating space, please contact us at 608-286-1908 to reserve your spot.
Director and
D&R Election
Results
During our fall member elections, several districts
were open for a seat as a Director on the Board
and as a member of the Districting & Resolutions
Committee. Below are those individuals that were
elected in their districts:
Board of Directors: District 6 - Joe Schmitt, District 7 - Rich Meyer, District 8 - Brian Wozniak.
D&R Committee: District 1 - Scott Mellgren, District 2 - Jim Smidel, District 4 - Randy Wokatsch, District 6 - Jerry Hammerand, District 8 - Larry Buttke.
View the 2017 Delegate listing on page 4.
Like us on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/FarmFirstDairyCooperative
··· 2 ···
Government & Legislative Update
Milk Labeling Standards - Congress Now Steps In
Congressional leaders recently sent a letter to the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration (FDA), urging the Administration Commissioner
Robert Califf to more aggressively police the improper use of dairy
terms. As we’ve seen, many products on grocery store shelves have
no resemblance to dairy but continue to use the word ‘milk’ to qualify
the product on the store shelf.
Currently, federal standards of
identity stipulate that milk and
related foods have to be made
from animal sources to use these
established dairy terms. Plantbased foods and beverages made
of nuts and grains appear to
be ‘misleading to consumers, harmful to the dairy industry, and a
violation of milk’s standard of identity,’ as stated in their letter.
issue, we just need FDA to enforce those that have been on the
books for years.”
While consumers are entitled to choose imitation products, “it
is misleading for manufacturers to profit from the ‘milk’ name.
These products should be allowed on the market, but only when
accurately labeled,” as stated in the congressional letter.
Welch and Simpson noted that the European Union offers an
example of how product terminology can be altered to make it less
misleading. Regulators in the EU allow the use of the term “soy
drink,” but prohibit “soy milk.”
FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative would like to thank the congressional
leaders who have stepped up by signing onto this letter. These
leaders in our membership area include:
The letter was authored by Representative. Mike Simpson (R-ID)
and Peter Welch (D-VT) in addition to being cosponsored by
a bipartisan coalition of 32 other members of the House. The
lawmakers endorsing the letter also received support from other dairy
organizations, including the International Dairy Foods Association
(IDFA) and the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF).
“You haven’t ‘got milk’ if it comes from a seed, nut or bean,” said Jim
Mulhern, President and CEO of NMPF. “In the many years since we
first raised concerns about the misbranding of these products, we’ve
seen an explosion of imitators attaching the word ‘milk’ to everything
from hemp to peas to algae. We don’t need new regulations on this
Collin Peterson – MN
Sean Duffy – WI Ron Kind – WI
Mark Pocan – WI
Tom Emmer – MN
Reid Ribble – WI
Jim Sensenbrenner, Jr. – WI
FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative has long urged FDA to exercise its
responsibility in regulating these dairy terms and providing the
much needed clarification within the consumer marketplace. Let’s
hope this effort brings greater clarity to the marketplace via FDA
taking action. We won’t stop our pursuit until the right thing is
done.
Keeping Trade A Top Priority
As president-elect Trump takes office in January, the dairy industry
will be looking at how trade factors into future policy initiatives,
so building a strong relationship with him and his advisors is
vital. The U.S. dairy industry has a proven track record how wellnegotiated trade provisions can provide benefit to both farmers and
businesses. Additionally, those same agreements have illustrated
where trading partners can be held more accountable, to ensure
that trade benefits are fully redeemed.
Over the last two decades, the dairy industry has seen exports grow
from less than a billion dollars a year to over $5 billion in 2015,
which has generated more than 120,000 jobs in dairy farming,
manufacturing and other related sectors. In an effort to build a
strong relationship, our industry partners identified several key
factors that share how dairy trade can have a positive impact on the
U.S. economy. These are highlighted here:
1. U.S. dairy exports create tens of thousands of American
jobs. USDA estimates that at the farm level each $1 billion of
U.S. dairy exports generates over 20,000 jobs and almost $3
billion of economic
output. At the
manufacturing level,
USDA calculates that
U.S. dairy exports
support around
3,200 jobs per $1
billion of exports and
generate nearly $4 in
additional economic activity per $1 of exports.
2. Losing the equivalent of one day a week’s worth
of milk production would have dire impacts on
American farmers and manufacturing jobs at U.S. food
companies. In 2015, exports were equivalent to 14% of U.S.
milk production on a total milk solids basis. Twenty years ago,
that percentage was essentially zero. Economically speaking,
this positive trade balance has generated an additional $8.3
billion for the industry between 2004 and 2014.
Continued on Page 5...
··· 3 ···
Industry Happenings
Delegates & Alternates
Selected for 4th
Annual Meeting
New Proposed Resolution
Considerations for 2017
Cooperative members were encouraged to submit any resolutions
they would like considered and brought before the delegates during
the annual meeting. FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative values your input as
a member. By sharing these resolutions, we encourage you to provide
feedback in advance of the annual meeting as our delegates will be
making considerations on these proposals.
Consumer Awareness We urge that all food labels should be simple
to understand and any claims should be supported by science.
Dairy Product Utilization We urge the inclusion of full fat dairy
products (milk, cheese and yogurt) as part of a healthy and balanced
diet due to the scientific link of full fat dairy products reducing the risk of
diabetes and in helping people control bodyweight.
Dairy Inspection Policy We support the scientific community and the
Food and Drug Administration to adopt as a priority, creation of a drug
screening test program which establishes uniformity at an acceptable
cost.
Environmental Quality We support requiring Congressional approval
of any new federal regulation before final implementation.
Animal Health We support a farmer’s right, in consultation with their
veterinarians, to set appropriate protocol for common animal husbandry
practices to be administered by the farmer or trained employee that are
appropriate for their farm.
We support further education of consumers on the merits of common
animal husbandry practices.
Official Notice: FarmFirst Dairy
Cooperative 5th Annual Member
Meeting Continued from page 1.
All members had an opportunity to nominate, and
then vote for fellow members to serve as delegates
or alternates to the upcoming 5th Annual Meeting of
FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative being held on February 10-11.
These individuals will participate in several educational
sessions, review resolutions and any proposed bylaws,
and provide feedback and direction during the meeting.
For a full listing of district areas, please visit www.
FarmFirstDairyCooperative.com and click on Member
Meetings under the Member Services tab. The following
members were elected in their respective districts:
District 1: Chuck Bergdahl, Jr., Bob Hanchek, Kevin
Hoewisch, Dave Johnson, Carl McBroom, Scott
Mellgren, Terry Perttula, James Revall
District 2: Paul Braun, Russell Braun, T.J. Haelfrisch,
Eugene Hansen, Tiffany Kohlmann, Andy Meyer, Brent
Sinkula, Jim Smidel Brian Staudinger, Dan Vandertie
District 3: Janet Clark, Ronald Griebenow, Ray
Halbur, Wayne Hansen, Tim Kelley, Lee Klumpers,
Michael Leahy, Peter Martin, Dave Schmitz, Leroy
Schmitz, Earl Van Ruiswijk
District 4: Wayne Gajewski, David Hannemann,
James Juedes, Steve Roets, Julie Stowe, Brandon
Urmanski, Randel Wokatsch
District 5:Will Beitlich, Lawrence Durst, Liz
Hasburgh, Jackie Hoffman, Stephanie Hughes,
Sharon Laubscher, Donald Ley, Peter Mallek, Dean
Putz, Jean Reisinger
District 6: John Busser, Mark Decker, Bob Dietzel,
Brian Dinderman, Doug Droessler, Jerry Hammerand,
Brian Hoefler, Mike Kempfer, Terry Kieler, Jim Kintzle
The amendment adds a provision to establish a “Delegate Pool” which
is made up of those eligible Members or Member designees (as
provided in Article II, Section a(a)) who ran for election in a District as
a Delegate or alternate but was not elected. The amendment would
allow positions to be filled if any given district failed to elect a sufficient
number of delegates and alternates to fill required positions within
that district, then those positions could be filled through the “Delegate
Pool”. This will ensure we have adequate representation by members
should a district be unable to fill their allowable positions.
District 7: Donald Bangart, Dean Hoesly, Holly
Lindner, Mitch Malm, Allen Mayer, Randy Meyer,
Walter Piskow, Michelle Popp, Richard Rohde, Dean
Schmelzer, Pam Selz-Pralle, Tom Shafto
Said meeting will continue until the disposition of all proper business.
Dated this 13th day of January, 2017, by: John Rettler, President.
District 9: Allen Blommel, Anne Borgschatz, Philip
Maher, Bernard Manderfeld, Joe Ritter, Richard
Rosen, Kevin Schweer, Keith Welgraven
··· 4 ···
District 8 Larry Buttke, Frank Czahor, Gary Kohn,
Daniel Kowalczyk, Brian Lueck, Betty Lund, George
Polzin, Donald Schesel
Keeping Trade A Top Priority
MPP Tracker
(continued from Page 3...)
All-Milk
Price
MPP
Feed Cost
MPP
Margin
July 2016
$16.10
$8.5105
$7.5894
Aug 2016
$17.80
$7.8391
$9.2608
Sept 2016
$17.30
$7.8152
$9.4847
Oct 2016
$16.60
$7.7550
$8.8449
Nov 2016
$17.60
$7.6158
$9.9841
Month
3. U.S. dairy farmers and
processors need a level
international playing field to
compete and preserve the
U.S. jobs that create their
made-in-America products.
European and Oceania companies
dominated global dairy markets for the last half of the
20th century, while the U.S. has been seizing market
share from them over the last 15 years.
4. Rampant foreign nontariff barriers require a
ramp-up in trade enforcement. Trade agreements
have been for the most part boons to American
agriculture by removing tariff barriers to our exports, but
nontariff barriers to U.S. agricultural exports are posing
an ever-growing challenge. From protectionist Canadian
dairy policies to European abuse of geographical
indications to India’s long-standing blockage of U.S.
dairy imports, nontariff barriers to U.S. agricultural
exports are a real threat. Strong enforcement must be
the cornerstone of U.S. trade policy efforts so that the
benefits of a trade agreement do not vanish.
5. Ensuring that U.S. regulatory agencies
support exports will unleash greater U.S. dairy
exports. When regulatory issues arise in countries the
U.S. is exporting to, there needs to be prompt attention
to resolve these issues to ensure trade continues to move
forward.
Trade has been, and will continue to be, a success story
for America’s agriculture, especially if we are able to keep
these ideals in mind.
Reminder: FarmFirst Dairy
Cooperative Scholarship
Applications Now Available
Applicants must be a son/daughter of a cooperative member. Applications are available
online at www.FarmFirstDairyCooperative.com or
by calling 608-286-1909.
New Extended Deadline! The new deadline for scholarship applications is
March 31st.
The Insurance Center is also making their
agribusiness scholarship available once
again! As in the past, the application is also
available on FarmFirst’s website. Applications
are due to The Insurance Center by March 31st.
Two-Month
Average
$8.4251
$9.1648
N/A
Numbers referenced are USDA’s Farm Service Agency national average prices and calculations
used to determine indemnity payments under the Margin Protection Program for Dairy.
Thank You, Congressman
Reid Ribble
Congressman Ribble kept his promise that he
would serve no more than four terms when he
announced in early 2016 that he would not be
seeking reelection for a fourth term last fall. He
was an advocate for term limits and felt that
one should serve with a sense of urgency to get
things done and when elected in 2010, he put those values to work.
From the roofing business and with limited knowledge of intricacies
of Agriculture, he dove in and became a true leader for the industry.
We would like to recognize his efforts by sharing a few of the key achievements during this short time in Congress.
Farm Bill Advocacy. He became very involved in the House
Agriculture Committee as it began to shape the Margin Protection
Program, including a strong push for the reduced premium rates for a
farmer’s first four million pounds of milk.
Trade. The impact that trade has on our nation’s dairy farmers was
not lost, and he dedicated a lot of efforts to secure and balance dairy
market access in such trade agreements such as TPP. Also, he led
the charge as the original author for the bipartisan House letter on
geographical indicators, as it first arose in TTIP.
Environment. He led bipartisan legislation as an author to withdraw
from the Waters of the U.S. ‘Interpretive Rule’ for agriculture that
would have disincentivized farmers from using certain conservation practices. That year’s bipartisan omnibus spending bill included Ribble’s bill, which was signed into law.
Transportation. He led the charge to get Interstate 41 grandfathered
in with weight limits not normally allowed on Interstates, which assists
agriculture shipments. Also, he played a significant role in 2015 by
enacting a provision to treat fluid milk as a non-divisible load, thus
giving states the authority to issue permits for trucks carrying bulk
milk to travel on interstates at heavier weights than would otherwise
be permitted. This provision later became law as part of the FAST Act
Transportation Law, making it possible for fluid milk to travel greater
distances than it had before.
FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative will be honoring Mr. Ribble for his
service and dedication to the dairy industry during our 2017 Annual
meeting.
··· 5 ···
Federal Milk Order
Market Information
NOVEMBER 2016
Order Name and Number
Producer Milk (lbs.)
Producer Price Differential @ base zone
Statistical Uniform Price/cwt @ 3.5% BF*
Class I Price/cwt
Class II Price/cwt
Class III Price/cwt
Class IV Price/cwt
Component Prices & Test Avg. % aves
Butterfat/lb.
$2.1044
Protein/lb.
$2.8085
Other Solids/lb.
$0.17500
SCC Adjust Rate/1000
$0.00088
Producer Milk Classified %
Class I
Class II
Class III
Class IV
CENTRAL
Order 32
954,770,438
$-1.36
$15.40
$16.78
$14.60
$16.76
$13.76
MIDEAST
Order 33
1,444,379,745
$-1.38
$15.38
$16.78
$14.60
$16.76
$13.76
3.88%
3.18%
5.72%
3.82%
3.32%
5.74%
3.83%
3.20%
5.76%
15.70%
8.90%
68.20%
7.20%
100.00%
43.76%
15.04%
23.92%
17.28%
100.00%
38.90%
21.20%
20.80%
19.10%
100.00%
UPPER MIDWEST
Order 30
2,862,068,306
$-0.52
$16.24
$16.58
$14.60
$16.76
$13.76
PRESORTED STD
US POSTAGE
PAID
MADISON, WI
PERMIT NO. 1
Wishing you a safe and
prosperous 2017!
Welcome New Members
We would like to welcome these individuals and farms that
have joined FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative recently.
We look forward to your participation and involvement in
the programs and services of your cooperative where we
put members first.
Brian Staehler
Stephen Schumacher
Selz Farm Inc.
Trinity Holsteins LLC
Joseph & Patti Andersen
Eric Zimmerman
Ryan & Amanda Miller
Kerncrest LLC
Autumn Kemnitz
Craig Manson
Daniel Martin
Todd Rahmlow
Randy Raddatz
William Specht
Thank you to these Early-Bird Sponsors for the 2017 Annual Meeting!