Lakes Area Dairy Farmers Honored for Having Best Milk in Country

(KDLM) – A number of Lakes Area dairy farms have been honored for having some of the best milk in the country as National Dairy Month begins.

Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen released the annual list of top Minnesota dairy herds, which included Suzanne Jacobs, Duane Burke, and Charles and Mary Schornack from Otter Tail County.

In all, 96 Minnesota dairy farms are being recognized for superior herd management skills with milk that has low somatic cell counts (SCC).

Somatic cell count is a crucial indicator of milk quality – a lower SCC count is better for cheese production and longer shelf life for bottled milk.

“I’m honored to be able to recognize these 96 dairies for their high level of excellence,” said Commissioner Petersen. “These dairy farmers work hard 365 days a year to produce high quality, wholesome dairy products for all of us to enjoy, and I thank them for their contributions to feed Minnesota and the world.”

Although somatic cells occur naturally and are not a food safety concern, dairy farmers monitor them because they measure the health of their cows.

Processors also pay a premium for milk with low counts.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and University of Minnesota dairy experts have worked 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 current goal of obtaining an SCC under 100,000.

Story by JT Thaden – KDLM