In honor of June Dairy Month, Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Dave Frederickson released the annual list of top Minnesota dairy 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. This year, 111 dairy farms are being recognized for superior herd management skills by achieving an average under 100,000 SCC.
Area farms among the list of top Minnesota dairy herds include:
• Keith Middendorf, Todd County, First District Association
• Roger and Laura Primus, Todd County, Osakis Creamery Association
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• Paul and Bonnie Middendorf, Todd County, Nelson Creamery Association
• Suzanne Jacobs, Otter Tail County, Nelson Creamery Association
• John T. Kauffman, Todd County, Associated Milk Producers, Inc.
• Joseph Schmidt, Otter Tail County, ProAg Farmers Co-op
• Steven Schultz, Otter Tail County, ProAg Farmers Co-op
• Hollermann Family Dairy Inc, Todd County, First District Association
For more than a decade Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and University of Minnesota dairy experts have been working 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 goal of obtaining a SCC under 100,000.
Although somatic cells occur naturally and are not a food safety concern, dairy farmers monitor them because processors will pay a premium for milk with low counts. A farmer whose herd has a very low count can receive significantly more per hundredweight compared to a farmer whose herd average is high.
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The farmers who make the list receive a certificate of congratulations signed by Commissioner Frederickson.
