there’s no limit to what yc’ers can do! · beachy, dan j & lydia albia, ia frisian farms llc...

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 0A P R I L 2 0 1 3F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 4

there’s no limit to what yc’ers can do!

CEO Don Boelens

Published Monthly by:swiss Valley Farms

cooperativeP.O. Box 4493

Davenport, IA 52808

563.468.6600 FAX 563.468.6616

www.swissvalley.com

nancy FeeneyEditor/ Member Relations Mgr.

Swiss Valley Farms, Co. will produce, distribute and sell value-added, quality products for our:

Customers & ConsumersOwner/MembersWorkforce

Swiss Valley Board OfficersChairPam Bolin.................................................Clarksville, IAVice ChairRandy Schaefer...................................Blue Grass, IAAssistant SecretaryDonald Berlage....................................Elizabeth, ILAssistant TreasurerFrancis Leibfried.................................Cuba City, WI

swiss Valley directorsLoyde M. Beers......................................Eastman, WIJeff Berg...................................................LaCrosse, WIDan Duitscher.................................................Rolfe, IADale Humpal.........................................Ridgeway, IARichard Kauffmann...................................Farley, IASteve Klug...................................Spring Grove, MNG. Joe Lyon..................................................Toledo, IATom Oberhaus....................................Waukesha, WIPatrick Schroeder...............................Lancaster, WI

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page 2 SWISS VALLEY FARMS dairyman

by Don Boelens say “thanks” to exports

These days, when you open your milk check and see that healthy milk price, you can

say “Thanks” to the increase in U.S. dairy exports. Yes, we are seeing record amounts of American dairy products being exported and eagerly consumed by the expanding middle class around the globe.

Exports from America’s dairy cooperatives continue to be the number one driver for the strong milk prices you are seeing. Furthermore, the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) reports the United States is in great shape to continue to supply the world with dairy products.

Even better news is that it looks like these great milk prices are going to be around for a while. Future prices are showing a record high of $22.50 for Class III products for February. This possibly could go even higher for March. As a reference, the previous Class III high was $21.67 in August 2011.

Cheese is trading at record high levels due to these healthy cheese exports and also strong powder exports. Swiss Valley Farms could export every pound of whey powder it produces. However, our domestic customers also need whey powder, so we continue to maintain a balance between these two markets.

It seems these international markets, particularly those in Asia, prefer U.S. dairy products over those made locally or in other countries. The U.S. has a strong, worldwide reputation for meeting high production quality and safety

standards. For years, New Zealand has

been the dominant supplier of dairy products to the expanding Asian markets. Their proximity to China, the Philippines and Japan along with a thriving dairy industry put them in the catbird seat for handling these exports. A recent 2-year drought in New Zealand opened the door for other countries to step in and fill this demand. While New Zealand has now fully recovered from this drought and its milk production is back on line, current demand in Asia far exceeds what New Zealand can supply. There is plenty of opportunity for everyone and America’s dairy co-ops have stepped up to the plate to take advantage of this.

Meanwhile, America’s dairy producers are happily reaping the benefit in their milk checks.

FeBrUary 2014 page 3

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say “thanks” to exports Keith BlaKe wins at-large positionN e w D i r e c t o r E l e c t e d

It’s official. The third Swiss Valley Farms At-Large Director has been elected. The Board’s Governance Committee announced that Keith Blake of Eldridge, Iowa was elected the co-op’s third At-Large Director. Keith will officially be seated in this position at the co-op’s Annual Meeting Feb. 25th. Thanks go out to all the co-op members who took the time to attend their annual district meeting in December and participate in this election.

Keith’s election wraps up the cycle of electing three at-large directors, each for a 3-year term. In February 2015, the term of the first elected at-large director, Francis Leibfried, Cuba City, Wis., will be up. Nominations for this position will be taken at the 2014 District Rep meeting this March.

Anyone interested in pursuing this at-large position, which is a three-year term on the Board beginning March 2015, should inform his or her director or tell a district representative. Nominations for this position will be taken on March 27th at the Spring District Representatives

Keith began dairying with his parents, Kris and Delores Blake, and brothers Roger and Randy in the family corporation, KrisDel Farms. Thirty-five years later, he and Roger run the 190-cow dairy on 750 acres on the north side of Davenport, Iowa. Keith is a graduate of Hawkeye Institute of Technology with a two-year degree in Farm Management. He has served as a Swiss Valley Farms District Representative for many years. He and his wife Colette were active in Swiss Valley’s Young Cooperators program. They were the 1998 Outstanding YC Contest winners and served as vice chair couple on the National YC Advisory Council. Keith is also active in his local Farm Bureau. The couple has one daughter, Caroline, 19.

Keith Blake Eldridge, Iowa

meeting. Candidates nominated on that day will be on the at-large ballot at the co-op’s 2014 district meetings. The current at-large director can be re-nominated and run for this directorship again.

Here is the list of Board member/at-large director qualifications.

• NomorethantwodirectorsfromanyoneDistrictcan serve on the Board at the same time.

• Nomore thanoneDirector fromanyone farmunit can serve on the Board at the same time.

• Directors cannot be involved in any activity,transaction or action that is or would be deemed to be in conflict with the best interest of Swiss Valley Farms. Directors are required to sign a “Conflict of Interest Compliance Statement” as a condition of serving on the Board of Directors.

• Directors should be of utmost integrity, havestrength of character and exhibit mature judgment that is essential to effective decision making.

• Directorsshouldbewillingtodevoteanadequateamount of time to the responsibilities of the Board and its Committees.

SWISS VALLEY FARMS dairyman

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40 years of celebrating Quality milk

This winter, Swiss Valley Farms Blue Ribbon Quality Milk Award Program hit a new milestone by celebrating a 40-year anniversary. Congratulations to everyone who qualified for an award this year. Co-op members work hard year-round to meet Swiss Valley Farms quality milk standards. The end result of all of this effort is millions

of pounds of high quality milk that the cooperative turns into delicious dairy products.

The list of Quality Award winners begins here and will continue next month as well. Swiss Valley Farms applauds everyone who received awards this year. Good luck in the coming year with your quality milk production.

P r e s e n t e d a t d i s t r i c t m e e t i n g s

DISTRICT 51 YEAR AWARD DODDS, HERBERTNEW LONDON, IAKRUSE, ALFREDGREELEY, IAKRUSE, DAVID GGREELEY, IA2 YEAR AWARDBESLER, ROBERT J. JR.HOPKINTON, IADIESING, PATRICIA AMAQUOKETA, IADIESING, RANDALLMAQUOKETA, IAHEIMS, DALE & MICHELLE DELHI, IAHEIMS, ELDONMANCHESTER, IAHOLDORF, ROGER A & NORMAWALCOTT, IA

KRIS-DEL FARMS CORPDAVENPORT, IA3 YEAR AWARD BILL & LYNN VANDERHAM DAIRY LLCHILLSBORO, IAGOLDSMITH, JIM G & KRISTIEARLVILLE, IAKUNDE, DAVID CMANCHESTER, IANORTON, CALEBTIPTON, IANORTON, WILLIAMTIPTON, IASEE, JOHN R & VICKISOLON, IA4 YEAR AWARD ANDERSEN, AARON GCLINTON, IAMEHAFFY, PAULA S & ROBERT E

5 YEAR AWARD GAUL, JASON & REBECCANEW VIENNA, IAGAUL, KEITH & AMY NEW VIENNA, IAKRUSE, MARTINDYERSVILLE, IALOEFFELHOLZ, DEANEARLVILLE, IAMARO, KENNETHLA MOTTE, IAMENSEN, STEVEN & JULIEEARLVILLE, IA6 YEAR AWARDASHDOWN, FRED FARMLONGWOOD, FLDE PAUW, ROBERT & PAMELAPORT BYRON, ILDEUTMEYER, THOMAS GEARLVILLE, IA

GOEDKEN, JOHN & MARILYNEARLVILLE, IA8 YEAR AWARDBRUNSMAN, WADE & JENNIFERDYERSVILLE, IASLABAUGH, DARYL DIOWA CITY, IA9 YEAR AWARD BLANCHARD FAMILY DAIRY LLCCHARLOTTE, IAELENZ, LEONDYERSVILLE, IAYODER, LEIGHTONKALONA, IA10 YEAR AWARD DOUG HERMSENFARMS INC COLESBURG, IA

District 5: 39-Year Award: Don & Dorothy Sywassink, Letts, Iowa

District 5: 33-Year Award: Gary & Carlyne

Overmann, Earlville, Iowa

District 5: 15-Year Award: Robert Deutmeyer,

Dyersville, Iowa

District 5: 11-Year Award: Tammy & Patricia Strait ,

Preston, Iowa

NEW LONDON, IA


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40 years of celebrating Quality milk

PRIER, DONALDDYERSVILLE, IA11 YEAR AWARDSTRAIT, PATRICIA APRESTON, IASTRAIT, TAMMY JPRESTON, IA12 YEAR AWARDSAUNDERS, BRIANROWLEY, IASAUNDERS, KEVINWINTHROP, IA13 YEAR AWARDSPERFSLAGE, IRVIN MANCHESTER, IA14 YEAR AWARDTAKES, DANIEL J & DEBBIEELY, IA15 YEAR AWARDDEUTMEYER, BE FONGDYERSVILLE, IADEUTMEYER, ROBERT FDYERSVILLE, IA

16 YEAR AWARD WEBER, GERALDDELHI, IA18 YEAR AWARDENGELKEN, THOMAS& CHERRIE EARLVILLE, IA20 YEAR AWARD GAUL, MICHAEL G COLESBURG, IAGAUL, PETER E & KIM COLESBURG, IA24 YEAR AWARD NEWELL, EUGENELONG GROVE, IA29 YEAR AWARD CLEMEN, WAYNENEW VIENNA, IA32 YEAR AWARDMARDORF, LESLIE LEEHOPKINTON, IA33 YEAR AWARDOVERMANN, GARY & CARLYNEEARLVILLE, IA

34 YEAR AWARDVENTEICHER, DAVIDSTRAWBERRY POINT, IAVENTEICHER, PAULEDGEWOOD, IAVENTEICHER, RICHARD EDGEWOOD, IA35 YEAR AWARD MARDORF, CLIFFORDMONTICELLO, IA39 YEAR AWARD SYWASSINK, DONALDLETTS, IA

DISTRICT 6 1 YEAR AWARD BEACHY, DAN J & LYDIA ALBIA, IAFRISIAN FARMS LLCOSKALOOSA, IAWIENER BROTHERSPARTNERSHIPMONTOUR, IA

2 YEAR AWARD WORMLEY, JOEL & JANNEWTON, IAZIERER, DEANBLOOMFIELD, IA3 YEAR AWARD GILBERT, JOHN C IOWA FALLS, IA4 YEAR AWARDBEAR CREEK DAIRY LPBROOKLYN, IA6 YEAR AWARD MACHIN, LLOYDNEWTON, IA8 YEAR AWARD GINGERICH, STEVEPARNELL, IA13 YEAR AWARD NUNNIKHOVEN, LYLEOSKALOOSA, IA14 YEAR AWARDVANDER WAL, BRUCENEW SHARON, IA

District 5: 8-Year Award: Daryl & Viola Slabaugh, Iowa City, Iowa

District 6: 25-Year Award: ISU Dairy: Joe Detrick, Melissa Kosht &

Lucas Fchau, Ames, Iowa

District 6: 13-Year Award: Lyle, Sharon & Aaron Nunnikhoven, Oskaloosa, Iowa

District 6: 28-Year Award: Lyons Jerseys: Joe Lyon, Eric & Terry Lyon, Stuart Lyon,

Toledo, Iowa

District 5: 5-Year Award: Martin & Joann Kruse,

Dyersville, Iowa

District 7: 8-Year Award: Steve Klug, Spring Grove, Minn.


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District 3: 11-Year Award: Steven & Sherry Vlasak, Elroy, Wis.

District 3: 11-Year Award: Evergreen Ridge

Dairy, James & Leona Reed, Hillsboro, Wis.

District 3: 10-Year Award: Brock, Florieda Gorham & Mike &

Jean Bailey, Tomah, Wis.

15 YEAR AWARDGIBRALTER FARMS LTD IOWA FALLS, IA17 YEAR AWARD DEKLOTZ DAIRY INCNEWHALL, IA23 YEAR AWARDCADDEN, GEORGE & JUDY LBROOKLYN, IA25 YEAR AWARDIOWA STATE UNIVERSITYAMES, IA28 YEAR AWARDLYON JERSEYSTOLEDO, IA

DISTRICT 7 1 YEAR AWARD MC NALLY, JAMES A & STACY MWINONA, MN2 YEAR AWARD DRINKALL, RANDY RUSHFORD, MNFRICKSON, ANDREWDAKOTA, MNHAUGEN, BONNIE & VANCECANTON, MN

TSCHUMPER, KENNETHLA CRESCENT, MN3 YEAR AWARD VANDERZEE, RANDY & BETTYDAKOTA, MN4 YEAR AWARD MILL, W DALE LEWISTON, MN6 YEAR AWARDELMHORST, MICHAEL& EVANGELINEPAYNESVILLE, MNLASKA, RICHARD & CAROLWINONA, MNTHILL, LAVERNE FWINONA, MN7 YEAR AWARD BLOCK, JAMESHAMBURG, MNBOLTMANN, ANGIEHAMBURG, MNBOLTMANN, REBECCAHAMBURG, MNBOLTMANN, ROBERTHAMBURG, MNKETCHUM, ROBERT & TERRI UTICA, MN

8 YEAR AWARDGERDES, WILLIAMCALEDONIA, MNKLUG, DARRELL JSPRING GROVE, MNKLUG, MATTHEWSPRING GROVE, MNKLUG, STEVE & ANNA SPRING GROVE, MN12 YEAR AWARD OAT HILL DAIRY ATWATER, MNREPS, TRAVIS & ALYSSAUTICA, MN14 YEAR AWARDINGVALSON FARMS INCCALEDONIA, MN20 YEAR AWARD ALDINGER, ROGERWINONA, MN21 YEAR AWARD BRATLAND, DARINSPRING GROVE, MN22 YEAR AWARDSCHUMACHER, PAUL & JENNIFER HOUSTON, MN24 YEAR AWARD SELKE, WILLIAM DAKOTA, MN

26 YEAR AWARD BRATLAND, DURONSPRING GROVE, MNBRATLAND, GERALDSPRING GROVE, MN28 YEAR AWARD HENDEL FARMSCALEDONIA, MNMEYER FARMS DAIRY CALEDONIA, MNSELKE, WALTERDAKOTA, MN

DISTRICT 8 1 YEAR AWARDADAWAY DAIRY LLCWAUCOMA, IABERGAN, DENNIS & LORI ELKADER, IAGAUNITZ, RANDY LANSING, IAMOON, KYLEMONONA, IAPREUSS, LEE CASTALIA, IAREISINGER, PATRICK & TARA WATERVILLE, IASCHMITT, BENJAMIN CFORT ATKINSON, IA

District 7: 8-Year Award: The Gerdes Family: Jonathan, Liz holding Chloe, Sarah, Carol &

Will, Grace, Mary and Jeana, Caledonia, Minn.

District 8: 38-Year Award: Donald

Brincks, Ossian, Iowa

District 8: 28-Year Award: Todd & Lynn Moser,

Colesburg, Iowa

District 8: 21-Year Award: Brent Garbes with

Maggie, Waukon, Iowa

District 7: 28-Year Award: Meyer Farms Dairy LLC,

Lee & Gordy Meyer, center, with Rachelle,

Jordan, Brandon & Jacob, Caledonia, Minn.

District 2: 5-Year Award:

Keith & Joyce

Morhardt, Elizabeth, Ill.


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District 4: 10-Year Award: Leo & Julie Kluesner,

Worthington, Iowa

District 4: 5-Year Award: Jerry & Stephanie

Kauffmann, Farley, Iowa

THOMPSON, ROBERT& LINDAWATERVILLE, IATUCKER, MARK STRAWBERRY POINT, IA2 YEAR AWARD ADNEY, AARON AMCGREGOR, IAADNEY, ANDREW AMCGREGOR, IABLUME, DON RGUTTENBERG, IABLUME, MICHAEL DGUTTENBERG, IAHENKES, TRENTLUANA, IAHILLERS, JEFFREY & JESSICACOLESBURG, IAHILLERS, ROBERT & JOYCEGUTTENBERG, IAJEFF WEST INC. FARMERSBURG, IAKLEIN, PAUL RELKPORT, IA

MOSER, KIRK GARBER, IAMUMMAU, VINCENTSTRAWBERRY POINT, IARENK, KERMITNEW ALBIN, IASCHMITT, ANDREW JFORT ATKINSON, IASCHMITT, PETERFORT ATKINSON, IA3 YEAR AWARDHUMPAL, DALE & MARY JORIDGEWAY, IAKREGEL, GARY & DARLENEGUTTENBERG, IAMOON, DAN & NANCYMONONA, IAWILKE, DON ELKADER, IAWILKE, JERRY ELKADER, IA4 YEAR AWARD WALTER, TIM LUANA, IA

WESTHOFF, NICHOLAS& JESSIEGUTTENBERG, IA5 YEAR AWARDANDERSEN, KENNETHSTRAWBERRY POINT, IABISCHOFF, MARKGARNAVILLO, IAHARBAUGH DAIRYELKADER, IAJOHANNINGMEIER, MIKE MONONA, IAJOHANNINGMEIER, STEVEWATERVILLE, IAKLEINLEIN, DANSTRAWBERRY POINT, IALINDERBAUM, DENNIS& EILEENOSSIAN, IASCHMITT, ALANDBA RAND-AL FARMS FORT ATKINSON, IASPERFSLAGE, DEAN & DANAEDGEWOOD, IA

WAGNER, STEVEN MONONA, IA6 YEAR AWARD CAROLAN, KEVIN & DONNACALMAR, IA7 YEAR AWARD CROSSROADS DAIRY LLCPOSTVILLE, IAPATTISON, LEE & SARAGARNAVILLO, IA8 YEAR AWARD LAMBORN FARMS LLCLUANA, IA9 YEAR AWARD SVENDSEN, LARRY A & MARY OSSIAN, IA10 YEAR AWARD GAUL, TIM & KARI GUTTENBERG, IAKULPER, ROGER & JENNIFERGARBER, IAKURTH, DAVID GST OLAF, IA

District 8: 21-Year Award: Loras & Patty Gerner, Garber, Iowa

District 8: 21-Year Award: Marty Garvis & Jerry Gibson, Waukon, Iowa

District 8: 16-Year Award: Brian & Heidi Lantzky,

Hawkeye, Iowa

District 8: 10-Year Award: Tim & Kari Gaul, Guttenberg,

Iowa

District 8: 6-Year Award: Kevin & Donna Carolan, Calmar, Iowa

District 8: 8-Year Award: Lamborn Farms, Jill

Lamborn with Camden & Jaxon, Luana, Iowa

District 8: 5-Year Award: Alan Schmitt-

Rand-Al Farms, Ft. Atkinson, Iowa

District 8: 5-Year Award: Dennis Linderbaum,

Ossian, Iowa

District 8: 5-Year Award: Mark

Bischoff, Garnavillo, Iowa


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KURTH, GARY & ANNE LUANA, IA11 YEAR AWARD HENKES FARMS LLCMONONA, IAKRIENER, DALERIDGEWAY, IAKRIENER, DONALDRIDGEWAY, IAKRIENER, LARRYRIDGEWAY, IALENTH, TERRYLUANA, IA12 YEAR AWARD HUMPAL, DARRYL GRIDGEWAY, IASCHMITT, STEVEN MHAWKEYE, IA13 YEAR AWARD HEIMS, SUEEDGEWOOD, IA16 YEAR AWARDLANTZKY, BRIAN & HEIDIHAWKEYE, IA18 YEAR AWARD MC NALLY DAIRYMONONA, IA

19 YEAR AWARD THOMPSON, LARRY & LIANEMONONA, IA21 YEAR AWARD GARBES, BRENT N WAUKON, IAGERNER, JAMES AGARBER, IAGERNER, LORAS JGARBER, IAGERNER, RICHARD BGUTTENBERG, IAGIBSON & SONSWAUKON, IA22 YEAR AWARDLANDT, NEILLUANA, IA28 YEAR AWARD MOSER, TODD M COLESBURG, IA38 YEAR AWARD BRINCKS, DON IOSSIAN, IA

DISTRICT 9 1 YEAR AWARD BALK, ALLEN - DBA BALK BROSWAUCOMA, IA

BALK, GERALDWAUCOMA, IABLASBERG, ALLENTRIPOLI, IABLASBERG, DOUG ATRIPOLI, IAJEFSON, ANDY DBA JEFSON DAIRY F FOREST CITY, IA2 YEAR AWARD BEAVER CREEK FARMBOLIN, DAVECLARKSVILLE, IABOLIN, PAMCLARKSVILLE, IA3 YEAR AWARD BEACHY, NORMANST ANSGAR, IAZIMMERMAN, MERVINORCHARD, IA5 YEAR AWARD JELSMA DAIRY LLCDENVER, IATUKKER DAIRIESROLFE, IA6 YEAR AWARDDUTCHLAND DAIRYROLFE, IAJOHNSON, DUANE APARKERSBURG, IA

JOHNSON, ROY APARKERSBURG, IA7 YEAR AWARD SONBERG FARMS, LLCOSAGE, IASTAUFFER, TITUSCHARLES CITY, IA10 YEAR AWARDARENDS, DARWINACKLEY, IAGRAND CENTRAL JERSEYS LLC BRISTOW, IAWEAVER, CURVIN MOSAGE, IA23 YEAR AWARDHOFMEISTER, DALLAS& PATGENEVA, IA

DISTRICT 10 1 YEAR AWARDD.A.D. ACRES, LLCKAUKAUNA, WIDE LANGE, JAMES EELKHORN, WIGIESE, PAULMAYVILLE, WIISAACSON, DALE BMALONE, WI

District 9: 10-Year Award: Darwin

Arends, Ackley, Iowa

District 9: 6-Year Award: Duane, Carolyn & Roy Johnson, Parkersburg, Iowa

District 9: 5-Year Award: Tukker Dairy, Johan &

Yolanda Koezen, Rolfe, Iowa

District 9: 10-Year Award: Grand Central Jerseys

LLC, Robert Horst, Bristow, Iowa


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2 YEAR AWARD GUDEX, TONYBROWNSVILLE, WINUNES, DARYL & PAMDEERFIELD, WI3 YEAR AWARD BENNETT, JOHN B & CHARLENE MWESTFIELD, WIBREUNIG, KELLY FMAZOMANIE, WIEVERT, HARLAND FMAZOMANIE, WIEVERT, SCOTT AMAZOMANIE, WIGALLUN, TRACYWEST BEND, WIHEATH, DALEJANESVILLE, WIKUTZ DAIRY LLCJEFFERSON, WIMARL LAKE FARMS LLCOXFORD, WI

SCHWARTZLOW, DEWAYNEBRODHEAD, WIWILLIAMS, DAVID AWAUKESHA, WI4 YEAR AWARD BAUS, RON & MARYMOUNT CALVARY, WIBRENNAN FARMSLAKE GENEVA, WIENDRES, JOHN PSAUK CITY, WIENDRES, JOSEPH ESAUK CITY, WISCHULZ, RICHARD E & JOLENE NEOSHO, WI7 YEAR AWARD BREUCKMAN, CHADCOLUMBUS, WIMESS, CLARENCE & CATHERINEWATERTOWN, WI

PRZYBYLSKI, GARY DKRAKOW, WISCHAEFER, JEFFREY GWATERTOWN, WISCHAEFER, KURTWATERTOWN, WISCHAEFER, SUSANWATERTOWN, WI8 YEAR AWARD SAUER DAIRY FARM LLC WATERLOO, WI10 YEAR AWARD BUSY BEE ACRES, LLCMARKESAN, WI11 YEAR AWARD DEAVER, MIKEEDGERTON, WI12 YEAR AWARD MOORE FARMS INC.ELKHORN, WI13 YEAR AWARDHOFA PARK DAIRYFARM LLCSEYMOUR, WI

14 YEAR AWARD GUDEX, WILLIAM LCAMPBELLSPORT, WIKABARA, JAMESPULASKI, WIVANDOSKE DAIRYFARMS LLC CLEVELAND, WIWELTER, KRIS & PHILLIPWHITEWATER, WI15 YEAR AWARD OBERHAUS, THOMAS& JOANWAUKESHA, WI

District 10: 7-Year Award: Pat & Carrie Mess,

Watertown, Wis.

District 10: 13-Year Award: Hofa Park Dairy Farm,

Dave & Cheryl Wagner, Seymour, Wis.

District 10: 15-Year Award: Tom

Oberhaus, Waukesha, Wis.

District 10: 14-Year Award: Alice & Arnold Gudex,

Campbellsport, Wis.

District 10: 10-Year Award: Busy Bee Acres, Andy

Nitz, Markesan, Wis.

District 10: 8-Year Award: Shane & Jennifer Sauer,

Waterloo, Wis.

District 4: 5-Year Award: Marvin & Sharon Ambrosy,

Sherrill, Iowa.

District 4: 26-Year Award: Daniel

Clemen Holy Cross, Iowa.


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ws2014 yc conFerence set

YC’ERS, REGISTRaTIon IS unDERwaY!

yc spring Break will Be Feb. 28 - march 1 in dubuque, iowa

The Swiss Valley 2014 Young Cooperator Conference heads back to Dubuque and will be held at the Best Western Plus off of Hwy. 20. Mark your calendar and make plans to attend. Your registration form is on the next page.

Who qualifies as a Young Cooperator? You are a Swiss Valley Farms Young Cooperator if you are between and including the ages of 18 and 45

AND1. You are a Swiss Valley Farms co-op member2. Or the son or daughter of a co-op member3. Or if you work in the dairy operation of a Swiss Valley Farms member

2014 Outstanding Young Cooperator ContestIt’s time to submitt your application for the Swiss Valley Farms 2014 Outstanding Young Cooperator

Contest, which will be held at this conference. If you want to open the door to unlimited opportunities for learning, leadership and travel, think about participating in this contest. Winners will attend the 2014 NMPF National Dairy Summit that will be held this fall near Dallas, TX.

The age limit on this national YC contest is 21 to 40 years. Your application is on the next page.

• TourWhitehillCheese&thenewdairysetupatS&SDairyinLancaster,Wis.

• Getthelowdownontheinsandoutsofexportingdairyproductstoforeigncountries.

• Learnfinancialbenchmarkingtechniques.

• BeentertainedattheYCbanquetby“DieLaughingMurderMystery.”

• Meetupwithold&newfriends.


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YC’ERS, REGISTRaTIon IS unDERwaY!

Swiss Valley Farms 2014 Young Cooperator Contest COnTEST RulES

1) To be eligible to enter, contestants must be a member of the cooperative or in the immediate family of a member and active in the dairying operation or a full-time employee of a Swiss Valley Farms member dairy operation, be between the ages of 18 and must not have turned 41 before November 1, 2014..

2) To enter: Fill in the following form as completely as possible.3) Entries must be submitted to Nancy Feeney at the Swiss Valley Farms Corporate Headquarters by Friday, February 21,

2014. Entries may be Faxed to the Corporate Headquarters at 563.468.6616. (Please call Nancy Feeney at 563-468-6640 before FAXing.) Entrants will be interviewed by the Member Relations Committee on late Friday afternoon, Feb. 28 at the YC Conference in Dubuque, where the final judging will take place.

YC COnTEST APPlICATIOn PART 1: Tell Us About YourselfContestant’s Name (s)_____________________________________Phone # __________________Prod #_____________Address __________________________________________________________________________________________Birthdate _______________ Age ________ Number of Years in Dairying ______________________________________ Community and Civic Activities (Also list spouse’s activities, if applicable) Use additional sheet is necessary: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Agricultural related activities and organizations: _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________List Other Cooperatives in which you have memberships. (Indicate if director, etc.): ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

YC COnTEST APPlICATIOn PART II: Write Down Your Thoughts

On a separate sheet of paper, write your thoughts on the following question. “ As a co-op member, what do you see as the most important service Swiss Valley Farms performs for your dairy operation?”

Please keep your answer to 250 words or less. Remember that we are looking for your opinions and ideas. There is no right or wrong answer to this question.

_______________________________________________________________________

Mail your entry to: Swiss Valley Farms, Co., Outstanding YC Contest, c/o Nancy Feeney PO Box 4493, Davenport, IA 52808

Entries must be in the SVF Corporate Headquarters by: Friday, February 21, 2014DO NOT PUT THIS FORM IN THE SAME ENVELOPE AS YOUR SPRING BREAK REGISTRATION FORM.

Contestant # ___________(This # will be assigned by the Member Relations Committee)

Registration FormYC Spring Break & Two-Day Conference

YC Conference registration deadline is Friday, February 21, 2014.Include your $10 per person check with your form.

YES! Reserve a room for me at this YC Spring Break Feb. 28 - March 1, 2014 at the Best Wesern Plus in Dubuque, IA.

Name ________________________________________________ Phone_____________________Address ______________________________________________________________________________Producer# ________________ Do you require a smoking room? Yes No

Mail this form and your check to Swiss Valley Farms YC Spring Break


winningtheoutstandingyc contest isjusttheBeginning!

Here’s what winning this contest brings to the table

for a YC’er

Swiss Valley selects two winners (couples or singles) to participate in the next two years of NMPF Dairy Summits, which are held all over the country late in the year. For instance, the 2013

Dairy Summit was held in November in Phoenix, AZ. The 2014 Dairy Summit will be held in October in Grapevine, Texas, a suburb of Dallas. Other locations where past summits have been held include: Orlando, FL; San Diego, CA; Reno and Las Vegas, NV; New Orleans, LA and Nashville, TN. At these national meetings, you will meet scores of young producers from dairy co-ops from around the country. You will participate in activities that have just been organized for the YC’ers and you also participate in the events that are planned for all the summit attendees. This involves listening to national speakers discuss what is happening, or going to happen, in the U.S. dairy industry, dairy promotions and dairy marketing, as well as get the scoop on legislation or issues that could affect your dairy operation.Attending these meetings isn’t just about sitting around listening to speakers, even though most of these speakers are pretty exciting. Some speakers are way more fun than others, such as the NFL players who speak at the main luncheon and help us all to celebrate the NFL’s partnership in DMI’s Fuel Up to Play 60! (Howie Long is my favorite so far!) There are also off-site activities planned just for the YC’ers to enjoy as well as the closing banquet that everyone attends and offers great musical entertainment, usually country.

“The Beginning of What?”

Brent & Julie Koopmann, Epworth, IA

Julie Koopmann, & Kristi Strief with Dick Vitale and his Vince Lombardi trophy

Dan & Lynn Bolin, Clarksville, IA

YC’ers Gather in PhoenixFrom left to right: Chris Frieders & Emily Parker,

Janesville, Wis.; Andy & Jessica Schmitt, Ft. Atkinson, Iowa; Matt & Lynn Bolin, Clarksville, Iowa and Brent &

Julie Koopmann, Epworth, Iowa


YC’ers are briefed on current legislative issues facing dairy. The next stop is a trip to Capitol Hill to meet with your Congressional reps. NMPF staffers make these appointments for you and I accompany you on these visits. Later that evening, NMPF stages a Dairy Day Reception on Capitol Hill, where Senators, Representatives and aides join you to talk dairy and enjoy cheese and wine.Another fun YC activity is the D.C. monument bus tour. Now that’s the way to see the sights! All in all, this is a 3-day conference in D.C. where you get a whole lot accomplished in a short time.

Marty Burken, Clinton, IAwith Sen. Tom Harkin

now, there’s another important thing YC Contest Winners get to do. (And if you’ve attended one of our YC Spring Breaks, you may have noticed this one.) They get to help plan and run the Swiss Valley YC Spring Break. Yes, you become one of those YC Steering Committee members who are introduced at the start of every conference. This is a hard-working group of YC’ers who try to bring to our regional conference some of the flair and fun they experienced at the national conventions.

Roy & Shiloh Johnson, Parkersburg, IA

Every year, one of these two YC couples has the honor of sitting on the national YC Advisory Board

and working with 10 other couples to plan the next national summit. This is a trip in early June to Washington D.C. to attend this NMPF session. Besides planning the next YC program, these

Matt & Kristi Strief, Farley, IA

nOTE: All your expenses connected with attending these national meetings are covered by Swiss Valley Farms. All that is left for you to do is pack your suitcase and find someone to do your chores back on the farm! (I do realize these tasks can be equally difficult!)

YC’ers, I hope this gives you a better idea of what winning this YC contest involves. If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask me or one of the YC Steering Committee members.Or, simply post your questions on the YC Facebook page.If you are between the ages of 18 and 40, please consider putting in an application for this contest in 2014. You’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain, like friends that will last you a lifetime ! Good luck!

nancy FeeneySwiss Valley FarmsYC Coordinator

Swiss Valley YC’ers and Facebook users --It’s time to join Swiss Valley Farms YC Facebook page. To get on board, send an e-mail to [email protected]. Your invitation to join will soon be on its way!

YC’ERS ON THE COVER:

Clockwise from top: Mark and Jill Lamborn, Luana, Iowa; Stefanie Kauffmann, Farley, Iowa and Justin Schueller, Sherrill, Iowa; Brent and Julie Koopmann, Epworth, Iowa; Matt and Kristi Strief, Farley, Iowa with Sen. Charles Grassley; Emily Parker, Janesville, Wis. and Randy and Amy Cook, Worthington, Iowa.

Somatic Cell Range -- Percentage listed is based on number of A Farms0 - 100,000......................................................8%100,001 - 200,000..................................... 36%200,001 - 300,000...................................... 31%300,001 - 400,000...................................... 14%400,001 - 500,000........................................ 7%500,001 and above................................... 4%

page 14 SWISS VALLEY FARMS dairyman

Chris Hoeger VP ProcurementEldridge, IA 52748

Office 563.468.6628Mobile 563.340.7943

nancy Feeney Member Relations3855 Manchester Dr • Bettendorf, IA 52722

Office 563.468.6640Mobile 563.449.4451

Tim Genthe Lab & Safety Manager803 S. School St. • Cuba City, WI 53807

Office 563.583.7669Home 608.744.3515

Jesse Chandlee Raw Milk Sales136 East 6th St. • Coal Valley, IL 61240

Office 563.468.6668Mobile 563.663.1445

Ron Brenner Field Supervisor1817 Loomis St. • LaCrosse, WI 54603

Mobile 608.790.1324Office 608.781.5324

Thomas Tegeler Field Supervisor1320 11/2 St. SW • Dyersville, IA 52040

Office 563.583.7669Home 563.875.2059

Randy Heisel259 E. Lakeview Dr. • LaFarge, WI 54639

Home 608.625.2045Mobile 608.386.6681

s w i s s v a l l e y f a r m s

Field personnel & statistics Field Department & Procurement Division Directory

Mike Howald 7105 N. Freeport Rd. • Forreston, IL 61030

Office 815.938.2651Mobile 563.599.2397

Kara Koopmann6142 Roller Coaster Rd. • Epworth, IA 52045

Plant 563.583.7669Home 563.876.3900

Roger lenius319 9th St. • Waverly, IA 50677

Mobile 563.599.2398Home 319.352.5015

Ken ley225 S. Clifton • Livingston, WI 53554

Mobile 608.732.8361Home 608.943.6240

lynne Melchert117 Culver Rd. NE • Hopkinton, IA 52237

Mobile 563.599.2394Home 563.926.2794

Cheryl Zablocki-WagnerW 1919 Hofa Park Dr. • Seymour, WI 54165

Office 920.822.2887Mobile 920.660.9822

Bob Zielsdorf309 North St. • Sparta, WI 54656

Mobile 563.599.2399Home 608.269.5452Fax 608.366.1772

During the Month of December, these Swiss Valley Farms Members averaged

below 100,000 for their Somatic Cell count.

ALDINGER, ROGER 81,000ANTHONY BROTHERS 77,000BAILEY, MICHAEL & JEAN 72,000BENNETT, JOHN & CHARLENE 51,000BREUCKMAN, CHAD 53,000BRIMEYER, DANIEL & DEB 85,000BRIMEYER, DEREK 85,000BRINCKS, DON I. 75,000BUSY BEE ACRES, LLC 75,000CAROLAN, KEVIN & DONNA 89,000DUTCHLAND DAIRY 98,000FRICKSON, ANDREW M. 48,000GINGERICH, STEVE 89,000GORHAM, FLORIEDA 72,000GRAND CENTRAL JERSEYS LLC 82,000HENDEL FARMS 67,000IHM, DOUGLAS G. 70,000JUNK, MELANIE M. 67,000KETCHUM, ROBERT C & TERRI A 56,000KLUESNER, LEO & JULIE 96,000LANDT, NEIL 98,000MARCH, CONNIE & JIM 98,000MILNES, THOMAS 86,000MOORE FARMS INC. 91,000MORHARDT, KEITH 87,000OPPRIECHT, GERALD & DIANA 78,000PATTISON, LEE & SARA 91,000PAYNE, RICHARD J. 73,000PEARCE, RICHARD J. 73,000PINE RIDGE DAIRY LLC 72,000PRIER, DONALD 77,000SCHMITT, JAMES & LORIE 86,000SCHOLLMEYER, AELRED 90,000SCHOLLMEYER, DAVID 90,000SCHOLLMEYER, WILLIAM 90,000SCHUSTER, CRAIG 89,000SCHUSTER, ROBERT & NANCY 89,000SCOTT, CLARK 94,000SELKE, WALTER 60,000SELKE, WILLIAM 60,000

S w i s s V a l l e y G a l s F a l l M e e t i n g s


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Classified Ad:Have something you want to sell? Are you trying to locate a particular item? Classified ads in the Dairyman are free to Swiss Valley Farms members. Just e-mail your ad to: [email protected].

Antibiotic PolicyIf a member suspects antibiotics in his or her bulk tank & calls a SWISS VALLEY

FARMS field representative to report this before dumping the milk:•1st time in a calendar year, the coop will pay 80% of the milk.•2nd & 3rd times in a calendar year, the coop will pay 50% of the milk.•Over 3 times in a calendar year, the coop will pay zero.On the 1st offense, if a member has purchased a test kit and detects the positive

antibiotic milk, SWISS VALLEY FARMS, CO. will reimburse that member $75.00 toward the cost of the test kit.

All claims must be received by the corporate office for payment no later than 60 days after the milk was dumped.

The earliest dated claim turned in will be paid at 80% payment. If antibiotics are found to be present in a farm truckload as a result of a screening

test, the member will NOT be paid for that shipment of milk, and will be assessed as follows:

Full cost of net loadplus the cost of disposal.Net load = total pounds on the load minus the member’s pounds.

swiss valley farms

antiBiotic policy

Swiss Valley members can now get a text message delivered to their cell phones containing their components from every tank of milk picked up on their dairy as soon as the lab sends the results to Swiss Valley, which is usually the next day.

Lab results include components (butterfat, protein and other solids), SCC and MUN score. The text is identified by the sequence number the hauler puts on the sample when picking up the milk.

To get signed up for texting, send your producer number and your cell phone number and cell phone provider to [email protected].

Have Your Lab Counts

Texted to You

Future Milk Contracts Are Made Through the Blimling Office

Future Milk Contracting is open to Swiss Valley Farms members only. All futures’ contracts are made directly through Blimling and Associates. To contract milk, call the offices of Blimling and Associates at 1-800-945-8891 and give them your farm number to get the process started. Through Blimling, you will have access to live market pricing and your contracting window will be larger.

You may contract milk from:• 8:30a.m.to3p.m.Monday-ThursdayCSTand8:30to1p.m.

Friday CST for the Class III-based program.• 9:05 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday-Friday CST for Total Price

Contracts (this includes Producer Price Contracts) and Options-based contracts.

For more details on Forward Fixed Price Milk Contracting, Swiss Valley members can log on to the members-only section of swissvalley.com.

STAUFFER, TITUS 50,000STRIEF FARMS INC 98,000THOMPSON, LARRY & LIANE 88,000VALLEY VIEW DAIRY INC 73,000WESTHOFF, NICHOLAS & JESSIE 83,000

swiss Valley Farmsscholarship applications

now available!

Applications for the eight Swiss Valley Farms 2014 college scholarships are available. To get

one, go to swissvalley.com/member/member benefits. Applications can be downloaded as

pdf or Word documents. Or send an e-mail to:

[email protected] deadline is March 31, 2014.

Good luck to you all!

dairymanYour copy of

Post Office Box 4493Davenport, IA 52808

Address Service Requested

PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPermit No. 141Davenport, IA

there’s no limit to what yc’ers can do! · beachy, dan j & lydia albia, ia frisian farms llc...

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