Contacts:
Julie Smith, DVM, (802) 656-4496

Friday, March 11, 2011

Vermont Dairy Farmers were recognized for the high quality of their milk at the Dairy Farmers’ Banquet held during the 77th annual Vermont Farm Show. Awards were presented to dairy farmers based on results in each of five quality categories. Overall scores then determined the top farms for the state’s Highest Milk Quality Awards. The 2010 winner is the Meyer Family of North Hardwick Dairy – for the seventh year in a row!

For 2010 there were 16 dairy farmers nominees, from all corners of the Green Mountain State, representing five cooperatives, independent handlers, and independent farmstead cheese makers in Vermont. Five of the nominees produce milk using organic management methods, one is a farmstead cheese maker and the others operate traditional dairy businesses in Vermont. As a group, the nominees exemplify the varied approaches Vermont dairy farmers take showing that “Agriculture Means Business to Vermont.”

All of Vermont’s 1,006 dairy farms strive to produce high quality milk. The production of high quality milk begins with sound animal husbandry and the cleanliness of the cow and continues through the milking process including the cleanliness and maintenance of the milking and milk storage equipment. To maintain the production of high quality milk, attention to detail is a must and most farms monitor milk quality on a daily basis. The production of quality milk takes exceptional management and is a 24-hour-per-day, 7-days-a-week, year-round effort.

Vermont’s dairy farmers are professionals and innovators in their businesses, who benefit financially from their production of high quality milk. These dairy business professionals take advantage of all potential income for their milk by obtaining premiums for the quality of the milk. Premiums for quality milk production range from $0.10/hundred pounds of milk to $0.35/hundred pounds of milk, for the average size farm in Vermont that equates to an additional $2,000 to $7,000 per year in income. Dairy farms producing organic milk can reap even greater quality premiums that can top $2.00 to $3.00/hundred pounds of milk through different organic milk markets.

Vermont’s dairy farmers also take pride in the quality of the milk they produce. As business owners, they understand that their milk is a wholesome and nutritious product. Their efforts provide the best dairy products to meet consumer demand.

The Vermont Dairy Industry Association has sponsored these awards for many years. The awards are given to dairy farmers who have documented, through laboratory analysis, farm inspections and sensory evaluation, the production of Vermont’s best quality milk. The nominees are judged on records provided by their milk handlers and the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets. The nominees also provide a milk sample that is judged on flavor.

The Vermont Dairy Industry Association (VDIA) works for the mutual benefit of its members, dairy farm families and the dairy industry. VDIA encourages and promotes close cooperation with educational institutions and other agencies concerned with the dairy industry.

Owner and or Business Name	Town	Cooperative/Milk Handler	Award	Special Award
Dale & Alma Briggs	Addison	St. Albans Co-op	Certificate of Nomination	Best PI Count
Linda and Leon Corse	Whitingham	Agri-Mark, Inc.	Certificate of Nomination	Best Flavor Award
Rene Fournier & Son Farm Inc	Swanton	Dairy Farmers of America – Horizon Organic	Certificate of Nomination
Bradley and Winona Gilman	North Claredon	Dairy Marketing Services	Certificate of Nomination
Debra and Andrew Hogan	Whiting	St. Albans Co-op	Certificate of Nomination
David and Tina Houde	St. Johnsbury	Dairylea/Horizon Organic	Certificate of Nomination	Tie – 2nd Runner up for Highest Milk Quality Award
Andy and Mateo Kehler – Jasper Hill Farm	Greensboro	Independent Farmstead Cheesemaker	Certificate of Nomination
Kettletop Farm – Nate Miller	Weybridge	Agri-Mark, Inc.	Certificate of Nomination
Stephen/Patricia/Nick/Andrew/Taylor Meyer – North Hardwick Dairy LLC	Hardwick	St. Albans Co-op/ CROPP Organic Cooperative	Certificate of Nomination	Highest Quality Milk Award for Vermont and Lowest Somatic Cell Count
New Venture Farm – Peter and Tina Decker	Barton	Dairy Marketing Services - National Farmers Organization	Certificate of Nomination
Larry & Judith Perkins	Orleans	Agri-Mark, Inc.	Certificate of Nomination
Peter and Madonne Rainville	Fairfax	St. Albans Co-op	Certificate of Nomination	1st Runner Up for Highest Milk Quality Award
Richardson Farm	Hartland	Agri-Mark, Inc.	Certificate of Nomination	Best Pasteurized and Best Standard Plate Count
Lee & Lisa Terrier	Middlebury	Dairy Farmers of America	Certificate of Nomination	3rd Runner Up for Highest Milk Quality Award
Weybridge Farms, Inc.	Weybridge	St. Albans Co-op	Certificate of Nomination